Andreas Granqvist’s VAR-assisted penalty handed Sweden 1-0 win over South Korea at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. The win takes Janne Andersson’s side joint top in Group F with Mexico.
The European side were dominant throughout and were twice denied by goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo before.
Substitute Kim Min-woo appeared to have hacked down Viktor Claesson. And, after initially waving away furious appeals from Swedish players, referee Joel Aguilar consulted VAR and eventually pointed to the spot.
South Korea were disappointing throughout the game. Star man Son Heung-min unable to demonstrate any of the threat that has made him a firm favourite with Tottenham fans in recent seasons.
Sweden now have the chance to all but knock Germany out of the tournament on Saturday. While, South Korea face Mexico desperately needing a win to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages.
Sweden started without Victor Lindelof. His replacement was Pontus Jansson and the rest of the defence scarcely tested by a tepid South Korean attack in the early stages. Granqvist was denied a shot at goal by a superb last-ditch interception by Kim Young-gwon in the game’s first notable moment
Marcus Berg squandered a golden opportunity to hand his side the lead midway through the half. The Al Ain striker ghosted in at the back post to meet Ola Toivonen’s low ball. But his effort was too close to Cho Hyun-woo, who kept it out with his leg and then punched away the loose ball.
In a bright start to the second half, both sides exchanged chances within the first six minutes. Sweden then got the breakthrough their positive approach deserved after Kim’s clumsy challenge on Claesson. A surprising choice to take the spot-kick, Granqvist coolly slotted into the bottom corner for his seventh international goal.
Hwang Hee-chan spurned a glorious opportunity late on, heading wide from 10 yards out, as Sweden ultimately held on for a precious three points.
FT: Sweden 1-0 North Korea
Granqvist 64′ (pen)