Gustav Svensson's Sweden took an early lead via Ola Toivonen's 34th minute goal, but Germany's Marco Reus equalized early in the second half and Toni Kroos scored on a late free kick as Germany won 2-1 in Group F action at Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia.
A second yellow card to Germany's Jerome Boateng gave the Swedes a man advantage for the match's final 8 minutes, but Real Madrid's Kroos curled home a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box in the game's waning moments to give Germany their first win of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Svensson did not feature for the Blågult, however, the Swedes can still qualify for the Round of 16. Sweden can win Group F with a win over Mexico by 2+ goals, a draw vs. Mexico combined with a Germany loss to South Korea or a draw vs. Mexico combined with a Germany draw to South Korea but Sweden tallying more goals to win the goal differential tiebreaker.
TONI KROOS HAS THE CLUTCH GENE pic.twitter.com/YDO2nNQty7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 23, 2018
Svensson and Sweden take on Mexico at Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg on Wednesday, June 27, at 7 a.m. PT.
