Forsberg emerges as go-to creative force
Swedes in quarters for the 1st time since 1994 in United States
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Shy, diminutive and without that distinctive ponytail, Emil Forsberg couldn’t be more different than the larger-than-life Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
They share an ability to conjure something out of nothing on a soccer field, though, as Forsberg showed in leading Sweden into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years.
Forsberg dropped his shoulder to create space at the edge of the area and scored with a deflected shot to earn the Swedes a 1-0 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” Forsberg said, “and makes me so proud.”
Forsberg, 26, arrived in Russia shouldering much of Sweden’s creative burden following the international retirement of Ibrahimovic, who ruled the national team for more than a decade and is the greatest player the country produced.
Forsberg was quiet in the group stage but the attacking midfielder’s skills and slick movement stood out against Switzerland in an otherwise scrappy game between two of Europe’s less-decorated nations.
“He has developed in terms of the holistic approach to his game,” Sweden coach Janne Andersson said. “Even if he doesn’t succeed in every dribble, in every part of his game he contributes in so many ways and he has those decisive moments.”
Forsberg didn’t get much power behind his shot and it was likely heading straight for Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer. But it deflected off the foot of center back Manuel Akanji and bounced up and into the net.
Sweden became the fifth European team to reach the quarterfinals and will play England on Saturday in Samara. Limited but with a highly effective game plan, the Swedes should not be underestimated.
This was another opportunity spurned by the Swiss, who have reached the last 16 in four of their last five appearances at the World Cup only to be eliminated without scoring a goal. They haven’t scored in a knockout game in soccer’s biggest tournament in 64 years, when they last reached the quarterfinals at home in 1954.
The last time Sweden made it this far at the World Cup was in 1994, when the team reached the semifinals.
Switzerland finished the game with 10 men after right back Michael Lang was sent off in stoppage time for a foul on Sweden substitute Martin Olsson.
The Swedes were limited but played to the strengths that got them past Italy in the two-leg World Cup playoff and to the top of a group containing defending champion Germany, Mexico and South Korea. Their long balls forward caused panic and they were more bullish in their tackling in midfield.
“They have done precisely what they’re very good at,” Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic said, “and that might have been enough to beat us. When they score a goal, it is always extremely difficult to crack that tough nut.”
Sweden right back Mikael Lustig will miss the quarterfinals after his second yellow card of the tournament. But the team will have midfielder Sebastian Larsson back from a ban.