FIFA World Cup 2018, Day 20: Today’s match schedule, teams and timings (in IST)
FIFA World Cup 2018 full schedule for Day 20: Round-of-16 time table in IST, venues with complete fixtures for the showpiece tournament in Russia.
Published : Jul 03, 2018 08:02 IST
Sweden vs Switzerland
Switzerland forward Breel Embolo hopes to round off a dream week by securing a place in the World Cup quarterfinals when his country faces Sweden in St Petersburg. Embolo flew straight home from Switzerland's 2-2 draw in its final Group E game against Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod to attend the birth of his daughter, who was born late on Thursday.
Embolo is yet to find the net in two substitute appearances and a start so far in Russia but could provide an alternative at centre-forward for head coach Vladimir Petkovic, where Haris Seferovic and Mario Gavranovic have both failed to impress. Josip Drmic pressed his own case by scoring against Costa Rica.
Sweden will be without Sebastian Larsson through suspension, meaning a possible start for Gustav Svensson in midfield, while Switzerland is without defensive duo Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schar after they picked up two bookings apiece in the group stage. In a game that does not necessarily promise the level of entertainment value provided so far during the knockout stages, Sweden boss Janne Andersson expects his forwards to lead the defensive effort from the front.
Colombia vs England
Dele Alli is adamant England manager Gareth Southgate's decision to rest players for their final group game against Belgium has not damaged "momentum" ahead of the World Cup last-16 clash with Colombia on Tuesday.
Belgium and England found themselves in the privileged position of already being assured of spots in the next round when they faced each other, and it was suggested that finishing second in Group G potentially provided an easier route towards the final.
Roberto Martinez's men ran out 1-0 winner thanks to Adnan Januzaj's sumptuous effort, but some have suggested that, although England arguably now falls into a slightly easier side of the knockout draw, the defeat has robbed it of momentum because of Southgate's eight alterations.
Alli is not having any of it, however, and is convinced the squad is just as fired up and confident as before.
- Round-of-16: Sweden vs Switzerland, 1930 IST, Saint Petersburg Stadium, St Petersburg.
- Round-of-16: Colombia vs England, 2330 IST, Spartak Stadium, Moscow.
Both matches will be broadcast live on SONY ESPN, TEN 1, and TEN 2.