Andreas Granqvist spot-kick gives Sweden win over South Korea

Sweden have made a winning start to their World Cup campaign by beating South Korea.

Central defender Andreas Granqvist netted a penalty kick in the second half, which was awarded by VAR after Kim Min-woo’s late tackle on Viktor Claesson.

Both teams started tentatively and it took 20 minutes for the first shot of the match. Marcus Berg was unmarked at the far post but Cho Hyun-woo pulled off a superb save.

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It was Berg again nine minutes later but this time central defender Kim Young-gwon blocked the shot.

South Korea finally threatened in the 41st minute through Ki Sung-yueng but Son Heung-min fell under the challenge of Ludwig Augustinsson and the chance was gone.

Sweden pushed for an opener in first-half stoppage time. First, Berg failed to get a good connection on a shot but Claesson’s header deflected behind for a corner.

Emil Forsberg fired over the crossbar at the start of the second half before South Korea came close at the other end. Kim Min-woo’s cross found Koo Ja-cheol but his shot hit the side netting.

Cho was in fine form once again in the South Korea goal to deny Ola Toivonen’s header but Sweden were ahead shortly after.

Kim’s challenge on Claesson was initially waved away by the referee but VAR proved that it was a clear penalty and captain Andreas Granqvist stepped up to direct the ball into the bottom right corner.

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South Korea had their chances late on but Son failed to get a cross past the first man before Hwang Hee-chan headed wide from eight yards.

The result puts Sweden level at the top of Group F, after Mexico shocked Germany on Sunday.

Cover Photo: FIFA World Cup 2014 by Mariya Butd used under license by CC BY 2.0.

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