Sweden beats South Korea thanks to VAR | CNN

Sweden beats South Korea thanks to VAR

Story highlights

Sweden 1-0 South Korea

Captain Granqvist scores from a penalty

Teams in same group as Germany and Mexico

CNN  — 

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) came to Sweden’s rescue as it was put to use in awarding the Swedes a penalty which led to the winning goal against South Korea on Monday.

Joel Aguilar had initially dismissed Swedish pleas for a second-half spot-kick, but for the second time at the 2018 World Cup VAR came into play and after reviewing Kim Minwoo’s tackle on Viktor Claesson the referee deemed it was a foul.

Captain Andreas Granqvist calmly converted the penalty to earn his team valuable three points in Nizhny Novgorod and put them above Germany in an intriguing Group F following Mexico’s stunning 1-0 victory over the holders Sunday.

Kim Min-Woo's foul on Viktor Claesson proved to be the turning point.

READ: Brazil held by Switzerland

READ: Iceland’s remarkable journey to the World Cup

Competing at a World Cup for the first time since 2006, Sweden deserved to win a match which was peppered with more fouls than flair.

Sweden, who knocked out Italy in the playoffs to reach Russia 2018, had chances to go ahead before Granqvist’s 65th-minute penalty but were denied by a brilliant goalkeeping display by Kim Seungguy.

Indeed, the highlight of the first half was a fantastic save from Kim at point-blank range from Marcus Berg.

The Sweden striker should have scored to capitalize on a half which consisted of eight attempts on goal by Sweden compared to South Korea’s one.

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features and videos

In truth, there was more intrigue and excitement in the build up to the match, with Sweden manager Janne Andersson apologizing after a member of the Sweden coaching staff was caught watching a South Korea training session. There had been a misunderstanding, he said, with his scout believing the session was open to all.

South Korea’s manager Shin Tae-yong said his players switched shirts to cause confuse because, in his words, “they might know a few of our players but it is very difficult for Westerners to distinguish between Asians.”

Shin’s men will next face Mexico and will hope for a better result if they are to improve on their showing from four years ago when they finished bottom of their group with a solitary point.

Sweden, reveling from a first opening win at a World Cup since 1958, take on Germany on 23 June in a match where the pressure will be on the Germans.