Sweden thanks Forsberg in the quarterfinals

Sweden can continue to dream of a sensation. North Europeans won Tuesday in St. Petersburg in a low round of 16 against Switzerland with 1: 0 (0: 0). The winner was Emil Forsberg (66) after strong help from Switzerland's Manuel Akanji, who deflected the ball unbearably.

Sweden will face Colombia or England in the quarterfinals on Saturday (16.00) in Samara. For Northern Europeans, it's the first quarter-final since 1994. Switzerland did not win a knockout match after a narrow defeat at a major event. The Swiss have been expecting a goal in a World Cup match since 1954.

The boss of the Swiss team Vladimir Petkovic has changed his starting lineup against the mediocre 2-2 against Costa Rica in the last round in four positions. For the two defenders suspended Fabian Schär and Stephan Lichtsteiner Johan Djourou and Michael Lang came on the grid. To replace Steven Zuber Breel Embolo in midfield and Josip Drmic, who had met Costa Rica in the final stages, Mario Gavranovic as a solo striker. In Sweden, only Gustav Svensson replaced suspended Sebastian Larsson against Mexico in midfield.

The two Europeans started without too much scruple and immediately searched for the way to the door. The Swiss tried it with an orderly build and gained an overweight ball possession. Sweden was initially much more dangerous. In the eighth minute, Marcus Berg missed the first opportunity of the striker Ola Toivonen, followed by Manuel Akanji who blocked another shot from Berg

Berg missed in the 28th minute by Halbvolley another opportunity, the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Summer parried. Switzerland came only in the 38th minute for the first opportunity to score. Blerim Dzemaili and Steven Zuber combined in the box, but Dzemaili shot wide over the goal. Albin Ekdal did not correctly hit the ball after a pbad (41 ').

After the break, the low level of the first knockout match continued to decline after the break. Both teams barely scored important goals. For example, a Toivonen shot went in the 49th minute. A little more dynamic was the match by the lucky goal of opening for Sweden in the 66th minute. Akanji faked a shot from Forsberg just outside the unbearable penalty area for the summer at Kreuzeck

Three minutes later, Albin Ekdal put the next dangerous shot next to the Swiss goal. A shot from Ricardo Rodriguez immediately after ushered in the Swiss final offensive. It was not very violent. Two seeded Breel Embolo (79) and Haris Seferovic (91) were the only winners.

The last big chance was Sweden. After a long Michael Olsson foul on Martin Olsson, who saw the Red card in the 94th minute, Toivonen missed a free kick just outside the box (97th). The referee Damir Skomina had first decided on the penalties, the decision to study the TV footage, but changed to a free kick at the edge of the box.

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