Sweden have earned a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Switzerland in Tuesday’s clash in St Petersburg.
After a goalless first half, a deflected effort from Emil Forsberg got the job done for Sweden, who reach the last eight of this tournament for just the second time since 1958.
Switzerland had Michael Lang dismissed during the closing stages of the game for a professional foul but it mattered little as Sweden saw out the remaining seconds to secure a showdown with either Colombia or England.
During the opening stages of the game, both Xherdan Shaqiri and Steven Zuber failed to threaten with long-range strikes and Sweden almost capitalised when Marcus Berg was played through on goal, only for the forward to slice a half-volley well wide of the target.
Albin Ekdal also drilled a shot over for Sweden as they began to get themselves on top but the game quickly developed into a contest of few clear-cut opportunities.
Nevertheless, just before the half-hour mark, Sweden almost went in front through Berg but Switzerland stopper Yann Sommer made an excellent save to his right from a volley.