It was a cage game light on goalmouth action, and after going 1-0 down the Asian side did not seem to have any options to bring themselves back into the game. Son Heung Min was naturally the most potent outlet but his final delivery was lacking.
After 14 minutes we had been treated to ten fouls already, an indictment of the type of game this was. The first half passed by with little incident, with neither side able to create any genuine chances, bar one missed sitter by the Swedes.
Berg was only two yards out and with almost the whole goal to aim at he was denied by Jo who made a stunning save at close quarters.
The second half started in much the same vain before Korea’s luck ran out in the 64th minute. Sweden had a couple of earlier penalty shouts turned down, and they were fuming when it looked as if this would be as well.
However, after a VAR review of the foul on Claesson from Kim, the referee eventually gave the penalty and there was delight from the men in yellow. Captain Granqvist stepped up, sending Jo the wrong way and the celebrations were ecstatic.
The Swedes saw the rest of the game out with relative ease and have given themselves a real chance at qualifying from the group. Assuming Germany get their act together, then the clash between ‘El Tri’ and the men in yellow will be crucial in deciding who qualifies.