Watch: Sweden coach explodes on touchline following Germany loss
Sweden manager Janne Anderson was livid as he charged into a touchline dustup with members of the German coaching staff, following his side’s dramatic 2-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup Group Stage on Saturday.
Sweden had led for more than half an hour before Germany pulled one back in the second half through Marco Reus. German defender Jerome Boateng was then sent off for a second yellow card and with the defending champions reduced to 10 men, the match looked headed for a 1-1 draw.
That is until Toni Kroos scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner with a curling free kick from outside the box.
As German fans and players erupted into ecstatics, Andersson exploded with fury on the sidelines and appeared to charge at German team manager, Oliver Bierhoff. Although commentators mentioned what was happening, the U.S. broadcast chose to remain focused on the German players. However, cameras in overseas broadcast captured the incident.
What a mess #GERSWE #sweden #germany #worldcup #fight #drama pic.twitter.com/UrIqnNTORT
— 쟈스민 (@Jasminejj) June 23, 2018
Commentators pondered as to what the fracas was about as match officials and Swedish coaches could be seen trying to separate the fuming Andersson from Bierhoff and members of the German staff. At one point, Sweden defender Pontus Jansson could also be seen charging into the fray.
In his post-match press conference, Andersson, who previously made headlines for allegedly sending a spy to observe South Korea’s training, accused Bierhoff, the German players and coaching staff of being disrespectful and “making gestures” at them following Kroos’ late time winner.
Swedish manager Janne Andersson furious with Germany post-game for celebrating in front of their bench and making gestures. #WorldCup
— Kurtis W. Larson (@KurtLarSUN) June 23, 2018
According to Swedish publication, Expressen, two coaches from the German bench ran towards the Sweden bench and taunted Janssen after Kroos scored.
Janssen was further aggrieved after the game, as Sweden had arguably been denied what looked like a clear penalty in the first half when Boateng brought down a charging Marcus Berg inside the penalty area. But the referee was unmoved and declined an opportunity to take the incident to video review.
Do you think this should have been called a penalty?
: @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/VvkWOG8Tfz
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 23, 2018
Swedish manager Andersson: “If we had got the penalty, that’s possibly what we would have needed … The margins were against us to that extent.”
…says his staff advised him it was an undoubted spot kick. #WorldCup
— Kurtis W. Larson (@KurtLarSUN) June 23, 2018
Following the loss, Sweden now finds itself second from the bottom in Group F and will likely need a win against Mexico on Wednesday if it is to progress beyond the Group Stage.
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