Sweden have started a World Cup campaign with a win for the first time since 1958
Taking on South Korea in Kaliningrad, the only goal of the game came in the second half, from a VAR-assisted penalty.
Swedish appeals after Kim Min-Woo's challenge on Viktor Claesson were initially waved away by the referee, who then decided it
was worthy of a penalty after consulting VAR.
Up stepped Andreas Granqvist, who coolly side-footed the ball into the right-hand corner of the goal, sending the goalkeeper in the other direction.
https://twitter.com/itvfootball/status/1008702182265315328
Although the 33-year-old defender made light work of the spot kick, the fact he was taking it initially appeared to come as a surprise to Jon Champion, ITV's main commentator for the game. Champion described it as a "curious choice of penalty taker", suggesting how Swedish supporters in the ground were probably "equally amazed" at who had stepped up to take it.
"He must've known something that we didn't," Champion added as Granqvist slotted the ball home.
Continuing to discuss what a surprise this had been, the commentator then added that the defender had also taken three goals in qualifying. "Those were his auditions," he said.
Some of those watching were quick to pick up on this on social media...
https://twitter.com/richopenshaw/status/1008704249302323200
https://twitter.com/LiamGrovess/status/1008701765703880704
https://twitter.com/edgarbear3/status/1008706268851302402
https://twitter.com/Fujtown_/status/1008707139131662338
https://twitter.com/RobFielding/status/1008702318995562497
https://twitter.com/ConorGlavin4/status/1008701605083000832
Ah well, at least he corrected himself.
Sweden's win means they now sit joint top of Group F with Mexico, who defeated reigning world champions Germany in their first game in Moscow on Sunday. Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the game, with
celebrations back in his homeland triggering and earthquake.
Sweden meet Germany in their next game on Saturday, before closing their group with a match against Mexico the following Wednesday afternoon.
