Forsberg delivers to help Sweden reach quarterfinals as Swiss miss out again
The heir to Zlatan Ibrahimovic finally delivered for Sweden at the World Cup.
Emil Forsberg scored a deflected goal in the 66th minute to give the Swedes a 1-0 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years.
Shy and understated, the 26-year-old Forsberg couldn't be more different than the larger-than-life Ibrahimovic, who ruled the Sweden team for more than a decade and was the greatest player the country ever produced.
But Forsberg arrived in Russia shouldering the creative burden left by Ibrahimovic following his retirement two years ago, and the attacking midfielder's skills and slick movement stood out at St Petersburg Stadium.
Forsberg's scruffy shot from the edge of the area was likely heading straight for Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, but it took a deflection off the boot of center back Manuel Akanji and landed in the net.
In stoppage time, Michael lang was sent off for Switzerland for a professional foul on Sweden substitute Martin Olsson.
The referee initially awarded a penalty kick but later gave a free kick after a video review.
Sweden became the fifth European team to reach the quarterfinals and will play either England or Colombia on Saturday in Samara.
The last time Sweden made it this far at the World Cup was in 1994, when the team reached the semifinals.
Swiss woes continue
Switzerland's dismal record in the knockout stages of major tournaments continued with a 1-0 defeat by Sweden.
The Swiss have not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since 1954 and they played Tuesday in St Petersburg weighed down by that history.
Switzerland, ranked No 6 in the world and the favourites going into Tuesday's round of 16 match, were eliminated by a deflected shot from Emil Forsberg, but they were also a victim of their own overcautious play.
Switzerland had conceded first in both of their first two matches in Russia but managed to draw 1-1 with Brazil and beat Serbia 2-1. They drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in the group finale after twice taking the lead.
Against the well-drilled Sweden defence, there was no coming back.The Switzerland team was made up largely of the same players who lost in the round of 16 to Argentina at the 2014 World Cup and to Poland in the same stage at the 2016 European Championship.