Sweden suffered an extremely expensive defeat on Thursday evening en route to qualification for the World Cup. The Scandinavians had to beat Georgia to maintain a favorable starting position, but instead went down 2-0. That was against the ratio, because Zlatan Ibrahimovic, among others, missed enormous opportunities. Spain can take over the lead in Group B from Sweden on Thursday evening against Greece. In that case, the Scandinavians have to win in Spain in three days to qualify directly.
The return of Ibrahimovic, who last played for his country at the end of March, allowed Sweden to start in his dream vanguard, including Alexander Isak. For Georgia, former Vitesse defender Guram Kashia was in the starting lineup, while Serdar Gözübüyük was the referee. After just under fifteen minutes, Ibrahimovic managed to intercept a pass on goalkeeper Giorgi Loria, but Emil Forsberg and Viktor Claesson were unable to shoot the ball into the almost empty goal. About eight minutes later, Isak put the ball ready for Ibrahimovic’s head, who produced a weak header.
Drama for Zlatan & co! ??
Georgia takes a 1-0 lead against Sweden… ??#ZiggoSport #WCQ # pic.twitter.com/nuQVP7DLli— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Nov 11, 2021
Ibrahimovic saw a better attempt with the head turned a few minutes later by Loria, after which Victor Lindelöf saw the rebound come off the line twice from close range. Isak could also have opened the score moments later, but the striker aimed straight at Loria in free position. At the end of the first half, the ball finally seemed to fall well in the penalty area by Ibrahimovic, but the veteran saw his shot fly over a block.
Even after the break, the Swedes increased the pressure on Georgia. Ibrahimovic shot a free kick quite far over and moments later put the ball in front of Claesson, who shot just wide from close range. Completely against the ratio, Georgia took the lead after an hour of play. Sweden did not get the ball from their own penalty area after a free kick, after which Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was able to give the last push in the scrimmage: 1-0. Fifteen minutes later, the same Kvaratskhelia managed to break through the defence, to quietly shoot the ball past Robin Olsen: 2-0. Sweden subsequently managed to create nothing worth mentioning.
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