Sweden face France at New York-New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday evening in the World Cup last 32, having scraped into the knockouts as third-place qualifiers.
Graham Potter's side advanced from Group F on goal difference after a mixed campaign that included a heavy win over Tunisia and an equally heavy defeat to the Netherlands. Sweden's earliest possible exit at this World Cup would be their first-round elimination in the round of 32 since 1990 — a measure of how far the nation has come since failing to qualify for three of the last four tournaments before this one.
The headline news is unwelcome. Isak Hien has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury sustained during the goalless draw with ****** an. The Atalanta centre-back was forced off in the 37th minute after overstretching for a ball.
The Swedish national team doctor confirmed afterwards that the injury would keep him out for an extended period. Potter described the news as "very sad" and confirmed Hien will return to his club for rehabilitation.
The knock-on effect reshapes Sweden's entire defensive structure. Victor Lindelof, who started the ****** an match in midfield, drops back into the centre-back role he occupied for much of his club career, partnering Gustaf Lagerbielke and Gabriel Gudmundsson in a back three.
Graham Potter's side advanced from Group F on goal difference after a mixed campaign that included a heavy win over Tunisia and an equally heavy defeat to the Netherlands. Sweden's earliest possible exit at this World Cup would be their first-round elimination in the round of 32 since 1990 — a measure of how far the nation has come since failing to qualify for three of the last four tournaments before this one.
The headline news is unwelcome. Isak Hien has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury sustained during the goalless draw with ****** an. The Atalanta centre-back was forced off in the 37th minute after overstretching for a ball.
The Swedish national team doctor confirmed afterwards that the injury would keep him out for an extended period. Potter described the news as "very sad" and confirmed Hien will return to his club for rehabilitation.
The knock-on effect reshapes Sweden's entire defensive structure. Victor Lindelof, who started the ****** an match in midfield, drops back into the centre-back role he occupied for much of his club career, partnering Gustaf Lagerbielke and Gabriel Gudmundsson in a back three.
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