SWEDEN, who ended the hopes of the Netherlands and Italy on their way to qualifying for this World Cup, started with a win against the Republic of Korea in Nizhny Novgorod.

The only goal came from a penalty awarded by Salvadorian referee Joel Aguilar only after being persuaded by his video assistant referees to review substitute Kim Minwoo’s challenge on Viktor Claesson on a pitch-side screen. 

Over a minute had passed before the referee correctly pointed to the spot and captain Andreas Granqvist stepped up to side-foot home Sweden’s first World Cup finals goal in 12 years.