Sweden beats South Korea in First World Cup Match

Andreas Granqvist has helped Sweden to win over South Korea from the penalty spot as VAR reversed a crucial decision in Nizhny Novgorod.

In spite of a bright start to the game, S. Korea failed to create many chances, with Sweden looking the most likely to score all through most of the game.

Referee Joel Aguilar at first felt Kim Min-Woo won the ball in a challenge on Viktor Claesson midway through the second-half. But, following a swift review from the VAR base in Moscow, Aguilar consulted his pitchside monitor and reversed the call.

Granqvist stepped up to take the spot-kick, sent goalkeeper Cho Hyun-Woo the wrong way and secured all three points for the European nation in their Group F opener.

This result marks the first time that South Korea has lost its opening game of the World Cup since 1998.

South Korea will now get ready for its next match on June 24 against Group F rivals Mexico, who beat defending champions Germany 1-0 on Sunday.

This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago

Greg is a Sports content writer. He has many years of experience in Sports Writing. He was a writer for Opera News and is Editor-in-Chief at GoalBall.