There was talk Ibrahimovic – one of the most decorated and iconic players of the modern game – could come out of international retirement for this tournament. “If I want I am there,” said the 36-year-old – scorer of 62 goals in 116 games for his country – in March. Ibrahimovic, who announced his retirement after Sweden were knocked out of Euro 2016, is not part of Andersson’s squad yet Sweden are progressing nicely without the former Manchester United striker.
In total, they have scored 33 goals in 16 games in qualifying and at this tournament. Goals have come from all areas of the team. In qualifying, defenders Mikael Lustig, Victor Lindelof and Andreas Granqvist scored seven of Sweden’s 27 goal between themselves. Striker Marcus Berg was Sweden’s leading scorer in qualifying with eight goals in 11 matches, including four in one game against Luxembourg, but has yet to find the net in Russia despite starting all four games.
Indeed, Berg has had 13 shots without scoring, the most of any player to fail to score at this World Cup. However the 31-year-old, who plays his club football in the United Arab Emirates for Al Ain, did manage to win a penalty in the 3-0 group win over Mexico on 27 June. ‘England have shown why we can win this World Cup’