SWEDEN reached the World Cup play-off final, where they’ll play Poland, after beating Czech Republic in the semis.
Robin Quaison scored deep into extra-time to hand the Swedes a vital win ahead of the World Cup later this year.
- RESULT: Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
- Sweden XI: Olsen, 4. Danileson, 3. Lindelof, 18. Nilsson, 5. Olsson, 7. Claesson, 20. Olsson, 8. Ekdal, 10. Forsberg, 21. Kulusevski, 9. Isak
- Czech Republic XI: Vaclik, 2. Zima, 4. Brabec, 3. Holes, 15. Sadilek, 12. Masopust, 22. Soucek, 7. Barak, 14. Jankto, 9. Hlozek, 10 Kutcha
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Goodbye!
Thanks for joining us this evening on the night North Macedonia, Portugal, Sweden and Wales made it through to the play-off finals for the World Cup 2022.
You can check out how Italy were shocked in their own back yard and miss out on another World Cup.
Good night.
Attention turns to the final
Poland having got the bye to the final while Sweden had to play 120 minutes as well as the Polish being the home side will make them favourites for the match.
Sweden though have real quality in attack and will have confidence and belief having won tonight and nearly qualifying automatically above Spain,
It is difficult to separate the two sides.
It will be an entertaining game on Tuesday 29th.
Heartbreak for Czech Republic
They simply didn’t create enough tonight and as a result they miss out on their fourth World Cup in a row.
There was a feeling once Havel missed that huge opportunity in stoppage time of the second half it was their chance gone.
Kutcha worked really hard up front but Pekhart was a bystander when he came on showing in the end they did miss Schick’s quality.
They were defensively solid throughout but were gradually worn down and began to drop a little too deep.
This gave Karlstrom time on the ball, who eventually found the strikers who combined for the goal.
Credit: Getty
Have some of Zlat!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be back in contention of a starting place for the final having served his suspension.
He is on the pitch celebrating with his teammates.
But will the 40-year-old start versus Poland?
Isak was great tonight providing the assist for the all important goal. There is no way he gets dropped from the starting XI.
Quaison was the goal hero and offered a more natural option up front compared to Kulusevski who moved to the right hand side.
It will be interesting to see what Andersson chooses to do with his team selection in Warsaw.
Will we see the Ibrahmovic vs Lewandowski showdown?
FT: Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
They have done it.
Quaison’s goal is enough to send Sweden into the final.
They keep their Qatar dreams alive but Czech Republic won’t be there, they played well but lacked the quality and clinical edge when needed.
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
120+1. One last chance.
Olsen comes an awfully long way to catch the punt into the box. It’s unconvincing but he has the ball.
He nearly dropped that.
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
120. The Czech keeper Vaclik takes a free kick on the half-way line.
But it’s a poor ball and headed clear by Elanga.
Danielson then eats up another aerial duel, this isn’t the way to break down Sweden.
Two minutes added of stoppage time.
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
119. Czech Republic are trying to launch the ball forward but it keeps coming back.
With Barak, Masopust and Jankto off they don’t seem to have the creativity needed.
It looks like Sweden will face Poland for a place in the World Cup.
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
117. Sweden are using all their experience here. Lindelof has cramp and Svanberg buys a foul.
They’re slowing the game down well.
Czech Republic manager waves his players forward.
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic – Elanga on
115. Karlstrom is next to be booked.
Isak is taken off, he’s been great and defender Helander replaces him.
There is also a debut for Man Utd star Elanga replacing Forsberg.
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic
111. The Friends Arena is bouncing – mass celebrations.
The goal comes from moving the ball quickly and smart movement.
Sweden attackers have combined well throughout and they do create a clear chance and it’s taken.
Hlozek is off Lingr is on
Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic – Goal Quasion
109. Finally we have a goal and it’s for Sweden.
Karlstrom passes into Quaison from deep, he turns and finds Isak.
Quaison continues his run and is found by Isak, he then converts brilliantly from close range with a low shot.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic – Sweden sub
106. Olsson goes off to be replaced by Karlstrom.
He has worked tirelessly in midfield.
Elsewhere, Italy have been beaten by North Macedonia in the shock of the night.
Kick-off: Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
A quarter of an hour left, nothing separates them after 105 minutes.
Can somebody make themselves a hero?
HT: Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
The Czechs enjoy a period of pressure but don’t quite create anything.
The ref signals the end of the first half of ET.
15 minutes remain before penalties.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
102. Zima gets forward from right-back and delivers a good cross.
However, Pekhart is on his heels and can’t get there.
The Czechs spring out again from their low block via Hlozek.
He is then fouled by Olsson, the ref shows another yellow card.
Credit: Getty Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
99. Forsberg and Isak combine down the left as Sweden counter the counter attack.
The former Dortmund striker cuts in on his stronger foot but it is blocked well.
No way through again.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
98. Sweden are becoming the more dominant side here, they are having more possession.
However, they are struggling to break down a tough Czech setup.
They are compact in their shape and are hoping to spring out and counter.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
95. Isak turns well and earns a corner.
It eventually drops to Kulusevski who is tackled by Soucek and Sykora together.
They don’t let the 21-year-old cut in on his preffered left foot, good play.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
92. Zima collides with Isak.
A cross is swung in and Quaison tries to head it back to the middle but it’s cleared away after a unconvincing reading off the ball.
Sweden need to get Forsberg and Kulusevski on the ball as much possible.
Kick-off: Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
91. Extra time is here.
The game is restarted by Michael Oliver.
It was an even 90 minutes, if it continues, penalties is a real possibility.
FT: Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
We need another 30 minutes of action to separate these two.
Havel is consoled by Soucek, that miss will haunt him if they lose this game.
Credit: Getty Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
90+3. Wow – what a miss!
Havel is free in the box, Soucek finds him with a cross and he slices wide on the volley.
That was the moment to send Czech Republic through.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
90+2. This 90 minutes wouldn’t be complete without another yellow.
It’s Mateju this time who pulls the shirt of Kulusevski to stop the counter attack.
Definite yellow.
Sweden 0-0 Czech Republic
90. Four minutes added.
We will be going to extra time by the looks of it.
Sadilek and Barak are taken off. Sykora and Krejci are on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
