In the build up to the World Cup, Zlatan had been quoted as saying that there is no such thing as a World Cup without Zlatan. This led many to believe that he would come out of international retirement and play for Sweden in its first World Cup since 2006. Although Sweden manager Janne Andersson ultimately decided to go with the group that got through qualifying, this Zlatan tweet shows that both sides have officially moved on.
In med bollen i mål #letsgo #letthegamesbegin #wearethebest #vmguld pic.twitter.com/hLPvCVcuRE
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) June 18, 2018
Sweden was in control of what was the ugliest game to date at this year's World Cup. Referee Joel Aguilar whistled for 43 fouls, but he only issued three yellow cards. After Switzerland's hack-a-Neymar strategy went off without a hitch, we're calling for World Cup referees to go to their pockets early and often. "Letting the players play" is actually having the opposite effect of slowing the games down.
In spite of the foulfest, Sweden managed to eke one across via another VAR-awarded penalty. South Korea defender Kim Min-Woo missed badly on a sliding attempt to clear the ball from the box, and he took out Sweden's Viktor Claesson. Aguilar probably shouldn't have needed VAR to call this one, but we're glad it helped him reach the right outcome.
¡Aparece nuevamente el VAR en el #MundialTelemundo! Tras revisar la jugada, así se decidió marcar penalti a favor de #SWE ante #KOR pic.twitter.com/LpaLb7aW2e
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2018
Sweden's captain Andreas Granqvist stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted home a penalty for the game's only goal.
#MundialTelemundo En voz de @AndresCantorGOL así fue el cobro de penal de Andreas Granqvist para el 1-0 de #SWE sobre #KOR pic.twitter.com/p9o6fqF4hK
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2018
Sweden's win puts the pressure on Mexico and Germany. The Swedes take on the defending champs this Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. Mexico will look to stay on top of the group against Korea on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET.
If Germany rounds into form and earns three points against Sweden, Mexico's game against the Swedes on June 27 could effectively be an elimination game.
But maybe another Zlatan tweet will inspire his former team to a big result against Germany, and for the third time in as many World Cups, the defending champs will be looking at an early exit.
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