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At some point, people may have to stop being surprised by Sweden's progress. Stranded at the start of the qualification, the Netherlands were clearing their way to a play-off against Italy. Nobody gave them a chance in this competition but, again, they found a way to win
Spool forward for the final and somebody got them off a group that contained Germany and Mexico? They did it, finishing over it. Germany has become their last big scalp.
Football fans will not necessarily put Switzerland alongside the Netherlands, Italy and Germany in terms of European powers but the team of Vladimir Petkovic is sixth at world ranking. They entered this collision in 16th place as the third highest ranked nation in the World Cup.
Now they are gone too.
Sweden advanced on a moment of luck but no one could say does not deserve it. Emil Forsberg, the most eye-catching player in the game, took a pass inside the left and he dropped his shoulder to evade Granit Xhaka
The shooting chance was open but Forsberg rather scratched the effort, hitting it low in the direction of Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who seemed ready to cash. Then, fate intervened. The ball threw Manuel Akanji and flew into the upper corner.
Sweden could have added to their advantage in the playoff when substitute Martin Olsson was pushed by the pursuer Michael Lang while he was running through. Initially, referee, Damir Skomina, reported a penalty, but was removed on VAR on a free kick. The offense had occurred just outside the area. Lang was sent off and Ola Toivonen's free kick was saved by Sommer. It did not matter.
Sweden was the most proactive team and most of the clearest chances were created by it. It was yet another triumph for Janne Andersson and the collective – in the truest sense of the term – that he put together.
Switzerland has failed to match its level since it missed the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. They pushed in the 10 last minute, but it was too little, too late. Substitute Breel Embolo saw a head blocked on the line by Forsberg – who else? – while Robin Olsen dismissed a header from another substitute, Haris Seferovic. It was the only time he had been seriously extended.
Switzerland started with a back-up because of the suspensions of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schar, and a key question was whether their replacements, Lang and Johan Djourou, would be strong enough.
Sweden wanted to know right away and they had some early flicker, although one of them was triggered by a leave of Sommer. Albin Ekdal immediately brought back the ball and Marcus Berg had a bit of space. He was quickly shut down and his shot was blocked. In return, Ekdal rolled high
Moments earlier, the beautiful film of Toivonen had released Berg. The attackers have played together in different teams since the age of 14 and their understanding was key. Berg was to the right of the center; the angle is not simple but inviting. He was cutting waste.
The unity and coherence of Sweden had pushed them so far. It's not a secret as to how they are going to play; the problem is how to stop them. They were by far the most menacing team of the first half and when they were 0-0, the concern for them was that they could live to regret their lack of sharpness.
Berg forced Sommer to dive with a nicely executed side shot, the goalkeeper was in top shape before tearing the ball with his fingertips, but great luck fell on Ekdal in the 40th minute. Gustav Svensson, entered play for Sebastian Larsson, suspended, managed a very high tackle on the pitch and he opened the scoring to Mikael Lustig
The right-back, who was held for a suspension from Josip Drmic , traversed deeply and no one had followed the race of Ekdal. He was perfectly placed and he chose to measure a side-foot volley only to get everything wrong. The bullet shot up and Ekdal fell to the ground in dismay.
Switzerland has gotten used to playing badly at this tournament and they offered little money in attack in the first period. They lacked aggression and their attacking players could not sparkle. They accelerated the pulse once when Blerim Dzemaili traded passes with Steven Zuber, getting a nice turn back, just to kick his first shot on the crossbar.
Forsberg is perhaps the only name of Sweden and the midfielder showed his talent and fast feet. He had several great moments, including a little after halftime, when he stepped away from the referee, who had put himself in a bad position before defeating Valon Behrami and Dzemaili. The fans of Sweden roared. The move ended with Toivonen shooting wildly.
Forsberg looked at the most likely player to break the stalemate and so it turned out. Petkovic sent Embolo and Seferovic in an attack but it was not Switzerland 's day. They leave with regrets. Sweden on the move.
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