NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia, June 18 -- A penalty awarded after referee applying to VAR helped Sweden defeat South Korea 1-0 in their opening World Cup Group F match at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday.

This had been a crucial and must-win match for both teams, as South Korea vowed to satisfy domestic fans who were disappointed by team's winless performance in 2017, and Sweden would want their first opening game win of the World Cup since 1958.

South Korea dominated the game for the first 10 minutes before Sweden, who have been absent for World Cup stage for 12 years, took control.

The Swedes created an excellent opportunity in the first fruitless 45 minutes, when Marcus Berg's shot was denied by South Korean goal keeper Jo Hyeonwoo's marvelous movement plus a bit luck.

After switching sides, South Korea's spearhead Son Heungmin, who initially played as left-winger, produced an 80-meter drive all the way into the opponents' penalty area, but his cross was stopped by Swedish captain Andreas Granqvist.

Viktor Claesson was tripped by Kim Minwoo in the box, but the game went on with no whistle. Under the pressure of the Scandinavian spectators and constant protests of the Swedish players, the referee decided to apply to the reviewing system, and awarded a penalty kick to the Swedes. Granqvist took the spot kick and gave his team the winner in the 65th minute.

"Mexico beating Germany yesterday made the group even tougher for us, it was fantastic to be winner of this important match", said Granqvist at the post-game press conference.

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