A penalty awarded through video review gave Sweden a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. Andreas Granqvist guessed correctly and easily converted the kick in a game Sweden mostly dominated.
The victory was vital to Sweden. Mexico grabbed a surprise 3 points from Germany in this group on Sunday, and most everyone thinks Germany will come roaring back. That leaves a narrow margin for these two teams to advance.
Sweden controlled the game for the most part, but both teams played strong defense, and a goal from open play always seemed unlikely. Perhaps Sweden missed their longtime star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a deadly finisher now retired from international play.
Sweden had 15 shots but few that really seemed likely to go in. South Korea managed just four.
In the 66th minute, Kim Min-Woo of South Korea brought down Viktor Claesson in the box. There was no immediate whistle despite the instant appeal by about four Swedish players.
A video review was called, and the pitch emptied for a minute. The penalty judgement duly came down, and few neutral observers disputed it.
Both Granqvist and keeper Cho went to their rights, and the ball sailed smoothly into the net.
South Korea, which had mostly been relying on the counter attack, picked up the pace after the goal and got the ball into dangerous areas a few times. But time ran out on the game, and probably on South Korea’s Cup hopes. They find themselves looking up at Mexico and Sweden in the group and tied with mighty Germany.
• Up Next: Belgium takes on Panama in the first Group G game.
• Here’s the 2018 World Cup schedule.
How to watch: In the U.S., Fox Sports 1 and Telemundo have the broadcast at 8 a.m., but you can stream it here.
90’ + 1: So Close for South Korea
A big scare for Sweden here. South Korea missed another good opportunity to equalize when Hwang Hee-chan headed wide. That might’ve been South Korea’s best, and last, chance.
90’: South Korea Running Out of Time
South Korea just cannot break down Sweden’s defense, The good chances, much less the goals, are just not coming.
82’: South Korea Miss Their Moment
Free kick to South Korea after Granqvist kneed Hwang in the head. Cleared away. A shot by Lee Seung-woo was blocked just after. South Korea need that one magic moment.
80’: Sweden Pulling Back
South Korea is pressing for a goal now, but has failed to get many good chances. As time ticks away, a 1-0 looks more likely. A loss would come very near to eliminating South Korea, and Sweden will stay alive. But with Mexico already claiming a surprise 3 points against Germany, even Sweden will need to do more to advance.
66’: GOAL! Sweden
Andreas Granqvist went right, the keeper chose wrong, and Sweden is in front.
64’: Penalty Kick for Sweden
Some chaos in the South Korean box led to a penalty appeal that was declined. But a video review is called. Play stopped for a minute and the call came down. Penalty!
Sweden’s Viktor Claesson went down under the challenge from substitute Kim Min-Woo to draw the penalty.
62’: Both Teams Playing the Counter Attack
The game is settling into the classic international pattern. One team builds up, looking for a well-executed goal, while the other sits back, absorbs the pressure, and tries to spring a counterattack. Sweden is the buildup team and South Korea the counter team in this game.
59’: Close Calls on Both Ends
Jansson’s rocket header was saved brilliantly by Cho. The game is opening up. At the other end, Hwang’s dangerous cross was booted away ... by Jansson, starring at both ends of the pitch.
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