Sweden 1-0 Switzerland: 5 Talking Points, World Cup 2018

Scorers: Emil Forsberg 66th minute

Human beings by default are a stickler for routines. Be it the milkman who delivers the milk at the exact time or on a day to day level when one is getting ready for work. For players it might be kissing a teammate’s head to wrapping a cloth on their unmentionables - such things are not unheard of. The more pressure the players find themselves in the more innovative rituals they tend to embrace.

That said, when the last 16 tie between Sweden and Switzerland became a reality, this author expected a fast and furious game as both the teams are well balanced and always play with a certain doomsday enthusiasm, unlike so many other teams. Also, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, one could have expected an open tie.

With St. Petersburg being the host venue, there was an air of expectation that this was the most unpredictable tie of the World Cup. Both teams have played some decent football over the course of this tournament with an inability to finish. And as early as the second minute those hallmarks were on display.

And that continued to be the theme of the game as it broke into a litany of errors punctuated by lively counter-attacks and panicked shooting from both sides. Despite the football on display, it was an absorbing watch because of its unpredictability. Here is a look at some of those unpredictable moments:-

---

#1 Angry Andersson inspires Sweden

Janne Andersson has been instrumental in cultivating the culture of togetherness

Janne Andersson, the Swedish coach was all smiles as his side qualified for the quarter-finals. The tournament has been a tumultuous one for Sweden and the manager. Having beaten South Korea in their first game and then being subjected to a heartbreaking defeat in the last minute against Germany, it has been a summer of ups and downs for the former IFK Norrköping manager.

The Swede relies on the idea of togetherness and has implemented this across the current squad as well, with all players playing for each other rather than themselves. With Zlatan gone as a figurehead, the team now consists of players that work hard for each other. Having gotten the team through the playoffs, the Swede has now taken his team into uncharted territory.

The Swedes are now in the quarters and while they are still a long way from emulating their 1958 record when they finished as runners-up, one cannot rule them out given the way the World Cup has panned out. Despite being denied a late penalty late on, the Swedes will celebrate well into the night as they cherish their first appearance in the quarters since USA 1994, where they ended up in third place.

#2 Sommer’s summer of hope extinguished

Sommer kept his team in the game

Having created the better of the opening chances, Sweden should have really taken the lead. But the combination of poor finishing and excellent keeping from Sommer meant that the chances were thwarted away. In the first half, Sommer’s two saves near the half-hour mark from Marcus Berg will live long in the memory of Swiss fans.

First, a fingertip save that was heading for the bottom corner and then immediately after another header from Berg was tipped out. Over the course of this tournament, Sommer has been pretty impressive and other than his shot-stopping skills, he should also be lauded for his distribution.

And it was the injustice of a deflection that finally got the better of him. Sweden had already created a host of chances before the breakthrough and when the ball fell kindly to Forsberg, it was a shot he couldn’t resist. The Swiss defense though wasn’t quick enough to get to him as Forsberg managed to fire off his shot, which was deflected off the onrushing Manuel Akanji.

It was particularly unlucky as the shot by Forsberg was heading straight towards the keeper but the unfortunate deflection only made Sommer a spectator as he saw the ball sail into his net.

#3 Poor final ball hampers Swiss productivity

Sweden v Switzerland: Shaqiri was kept quiet by a disciplined Swedish

defence

Coming into this World Cup as the 6th ranked team, the Swiss were expected to hold an edge over the Swedish team. And the air of expectations was there from this team which has improved as the tournament has progressed.

Despite being from the land of precision, the Swiss play was less than precise. Shaqiri, one of the livelier figures in this Swiss team was guilty of mishit and misplaced passes.

The Swiss generally rely on the “Alpine Messi” for inspiration and in this tie, the story wasn’t different. But as has already been noted this World Cup, for an individual to make an impact the team also has to be involved.

Shaqiri’s constant running and in-swinging crosses aside, a lack of a real goal scorer was sorely felt by this Swiss team. The match was a reasonable one with entertainment on offer and there were some real dynamic attacks on display. And as the game progressed, one could feel the Swiss frustration.

#4 Obdurate Sweden look stronger as a unit

Lindelof has rewarded the manager's faith

The Swedes may already be into their fourth game of the tournament but despite such progress, it is difficult to pinpoint one exceptional player or an individual. Their biggest star is Forsberg, who plays for RB Leipzig, more surprisingly their strikers are Marcus Berg, who plays for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Ola Toivonen, who doesn’t play for Toulouse.

But as pointed out earlier, it is their togetherness that has been the shining light. Lindelof of Manchester United has been a strong influence at the back and has flourished in the company of Carl Mikael Lustig. This was Sweden’s second consecutive clean-sheet and their third clean-sheet of the tournament.

With either Colombia or England as possible opponents in the quarters, their opponents better take note of their solidarity at the back. The Swedes despite being unable to score prolifically have defended resolutely and will play to their strengths rather than alter their plans according to their opponent’s game plan.

#5 Sweden the Unfancied favourites

MATCH55-SWE-SUI: Swiss players applaud their fans

This World Cup has provided an opening for a relatively unfancied team to reach the final. Whether that team turns out to be Sweden is another moot point. While both teams didn’t lack the passion it is the paucity of goals that should worry the Swedes if they are to progress all the way to the finals.

Albin Ekdal has almost set a gold standard when it comes to horrible misses and Sweden supporters would hope that no one looks to emulate that particular play. The Swedes only had 33% possession against the Swiss, but they probably created more good scoring chances than their opponents.

This was the first time since 1958 that they have won back-to-back World Cup matches and they played with excellent discipline as they frustrated their opponents into mistakes. Sweden did play with more pro-activeness than their opponents as they created clearer chances rather than their opponents.

In the end, though it was a deserved victory for the team that believes in the collective and togetherness.

---

How far do you see Sweden going? Sound off in the comments section below!