After just one World Cup match, Sweden has a dream position to advance to the knockout matches.
Seven months after finishing last in their qualifying group and a couple of weeks after lackluster performances in international matches leading up to the World Cup (1–3 against Norway, 2–2 against Greece), Sweden impressed against Tunisia and won 5–1 in Monterrey, Mexico.
After the World Cup opening match, team captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and defender Gabriel Gudmundsson hit back at the critics, according to Aftonbladet.
“There was a lot of criticism”
There was a lot of criticism from many quarters. But there is a difference between friendly matches and going into a championship. We probably silenced quite a few people today when we showed off this performance. I am happy for everyone. Several people played their first World Cup match and it is incredibly fun and impressive, Nilsson Lindelöf said.
It sounds like you in the media didn't believe this. Not after the friendly matches. But we are good when it comes to that. We have shown that, Gudmundsson said.
Sweden was close to missing the World Cup but secured one of the final places in the tournament after wins in the playoff against Ukraine (3–1) and Poland (3–2) under England manager Graham Potter, who took over at the end of the World Cup qualifiers after Danish coach Jon Dahl Tomasson was fired.
“Watch out, Netherlands!”
On Saturday, Midsummer Day, Blågult and “Oranje” will meet in the second World Cup match in Group F, in Houston, Texas.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf calls the Swedish victory "an excellent rehearsal" for the meeting with the Netherlands, who drew 2-2 with Japan in their opening match, after losing the lead twice.
"Watch out, Netherlands!" the newspaper writes about Sweden.
"It's really nice to show the whole world that we actually train and work hard," Gustaf Lagerbielke said, according to Aftonbladet.
Correction: An earlier version of this text stated an incorrect final result. The correct result should be that Sweden lost 1–3 to Norway in an international match before the World Cup.
