Sweden’s unexpected World Cup run continues
By Adam Stocker
Sweden continue their unexpected World Cup run, advancing to the quarterfinal after defeating Switzerland 1-0.
Sweden haven’t been expected to advance at any step of their World Cup journey. They weren’t expected to qualify when they were drawn in a group with France and the Netherlands. When they finished second in that group, they weren’t expected to advance from their playoff with Italy. They weren’t expected to advance from their World Cup group featuring Mexico and Germany either. On Tuesday, they beat Switzerland 1-0 to advance to their first World Cup quarterfinal in 24 years.
Sweden might not play the flashiest style or have the biggest name players but they continue to get results. In many ways, the Swedes are a patchwork team. Gone is the overpowering and sometimes distracting shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish roster is made up of players playing across European leagues. Outside Victor Lindelof and Emil Forsberg, however, none of them are particularly well known.
Despite the lack of talent on paper, the Swedish players have bought into the game plan that Janne Andersson has designed. They’ve rarely been caught out of position and selectively choose when to attack. For as long as Sweden’s World Cup run continues, they’ll sit back and defend, looking for their chance to launch a counter-attack.
Switzerland controlled play but couldn’t finish any of their chances. The Swiss had 67 percent of the ball, took 18 shots, 11 corners and attempted 30 crosses. Despite all that, Robin Olsen had to make only one notable save. Andreas Granqvist has been fantastic, winning challenges and aerial duels to prevent a hopeful cross from being headed in.
Sweden, despite their lack of possession, created the better chances. Marcus Berg was wasteful once again — perhaps the biggest concern as the tournament goes on — but they got some help on the winning goal, Forsberg’s scuffed shot taking a big deflection off center-back Manuel Akanji on its way into the net.
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As for Switzerland, they’ll head home wondering what if. What if captain Stephan Lichtsteiner wasn’t suspended? What if they could have converted one Ricardo Rodriguez’s numerous crosses into the box? What if Vladimir Petkovic had given Breel Embolo his first start of the tournament? That, increasingly, is what Sweden do to you. Make you think you have a chance.
Sweden will now face either England or Colombia in the quarterfinal. Once more, they won’t be expected to advance. Perhaps by now we should have learned out lesson about this team.