FIFA World Cup 2018: Mexico vs Sweden , Match Report

Mexico vs Sweden , Match report 

Story before the match

Mexico faced Sweden only once in a World Cup, that is in 1958 when Sweden won it by 3-0. Other than that, both nations have met each other on nine occasions. Mexico had an excellent record against Sweden, they have lost only one match in their previous five fixtures. Sweden had kept clean sheets against CONCACAF nations in their three out of four World Cup matches. No CONCACAF nation had ever won three consecutive games in the World Cup if Mexico wins this match, they will be changing the history.

First half: Both struggled to score!

At the very first minute of the match, Mexico got their first booking in the name Jesus Gallardo. He got booked for lunging foul on Toivonen. It was an early free kick in favour of Sweden, but that didn’t turn up to be positive for them. It was also the fastest Yellow card for Mexico in their World Cup history. Swedish Player Emil Forsberg had three shots on his name in this match which was more than the Mexican team combined. After one yellow card to Mexico Sweden’s midfielder, Sebastian Larsson got booked for tackling the Mexican hero, Lozano, which eventually went on to gave negative impact to Sweden as if Sweden enters the round of 16 then he’ll miss the first fixture of his side. After the continuous struggle between both the teams, the scoreline read on 0-0 at halftime, where both have shot record 19 shots in the first half of the match.

Second Half: Sweden maintained their hegemony over CONCACAF nations

Just after 5 minutes of the second half, Sweden’s defender, Ludwig Augustinsson scored a goal for his side that was an eye opener for Mexico as their star goalkeeper Ochoa want help from the defence. It was Augustinsson’s first ever shot at the World Cup finals then he got injured. After having a 1-0 lead, Sweden got another chance to score a goal, but through an easier way, penalty. Sweden had got a responsible shoulder named Andreas Granqvist; he aimed the top left corner which was unstoppable for Ochoa once again. This penalty shot was also registered in the history book because it was the 18th shot of the tournament, the most scored at any world cup before. And then Mexico gifted a goal to Sweden as their defender Edson Alvarez terribly scored own goal because he missed an attempt to clear the ball from the D area and puts the ball into his own net which eventually became own goal. After all the 90 minute drama, the scoreline read on 3-0.