Sweden players walk of the pitch at the end of the group F match between Germany and Sweden at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia. Photo / AP
Sweden players walk of the pitch at the end of the group F match between Germany and Sweden at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia. Photo / AP
A last-minute goal. A non-called penalty. A disrespectful celebration.
Sweden had a lot to be upset about when the final whistle blew yesterday.
The Swedes were within seconds of holding defending champions Germany to a draw, and moving into good position to advance to the round of 16 at theWorld Cup, when Toni Kroos scored deep into stoppage time to give Germany a 2-1 come-from-behind victory.
"I'm sorry we didn't get at least one point," Sweden coach Janne Andersson said. "But I'm not blaming anyone tactically or analysing too much right now, there are so many emotions going around. This is probably the heaviest conclusion that I've experienced in my career."
Kroos' goal from a set piece came in the fifth and final minute of injury time. The draw would have kept Sweden ahead of Germany in Group F and needing only a draw against Mexico in the last match.
"It was just bad luck," Sweden forward John Guidetti said. "Now we need to try to find a way to win the last match. In a few days, we play again and we have to win. It's simple."
Germany, level with Sweden on points and goal difference, play South Korea in the final round.
The Swedes were leading Germany at halftime thanks to Ola Toivonen's goal in the 32nd minute at Fisht Stadium. They felt they could have been ahead even earlier if the referee had called a penalty when Marcus Berg appeared to be fouled inside the area with a clear chance to score. No video review was called for.
"If we have the [VAR] system, it's unfortunate that he [the referee] can feel so secure in the moment that he doesn't go and have a look at the situation," Andersson said.
He and the Swedish players said they also couldn't understand why Germany decided to celebrate near their bench.
"You shouldn't celebrate in front of our bench the way they did, that's disrespectful," Guidetti said.
Andersson said he was "very annoyed" by seeing the German team "running in our direction and rubbing it in our faces by making gestures." - AP
