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World Cup round of 16 power rankings: Can anyone stop Brazil?

By James Dudko

TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward Neymar waves at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Serbia and Brazil at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 27, 2018. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward Neymar waves at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Serbia and Brazil at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 27, 2018. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Sweden’s defender Andreas Granqvist celebrates scoring a penalty during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Mexico and Sweden at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg on June 27, 2018. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images)
Sweden’s defender Andreas Granqvist celebrates scoring a penalty during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Mexico and Sweden at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg on June 27, 2018. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. Sweden

Sweden haven’t won many admirers for the way they’ve played. Yet the direct, muscular style favoured by coach Janne Andersson did lead to winning Group F ahead of Mexico and Germany.

Andersson has built this group on a solid foundation of organization, resilience and aerial power. The latter quality has been evident even without the towering presence of Ibrahimovic.

Marcus Berg is nowhere near as prolific as his more illustrious countryman. But the industrious No. 9 has provided a durable focal point for a team preferring a long-ball route to goal.

Defensively, the platform is strong thanks to skipper Andreas Granqvist and impressive Celtic man Mikael Lustig. The back four is well-protected by a deep-lying midfield.

Artistry there is in the middle comes from Emil Forsberg. The RB Leipzig schemer’s devilish delivery from set-pieces is ideal for Andersson’s approach.

Not everybody has welcomed Sweden’s brawn and pragmatism:

However, this is a squad with a mode of playing that can be highly effective during a knockout format. If they can keep Shaqiri in check, Sweden will power into the last eight.

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