Sweden’s Berg misses shot from point-blank range off keeper’s face

June 18 (UPI) — Swedish forward Marcus Berg had a brutal World Cup miss during a 1-0 win against South Korea Monday in Russia.

Luckily for him, teammate Andreas Granqvist later saved the day for Sweden, leading to the Group F triumph.

Berg’s blunder came at the end of the 20th minute. Sweden was threatening the South Korean goal during the sequence while the game was tied at 0-0. Mikael Lustig sent the ball into the box, finding Ola Toivonen. The Swedish forward then flicked the ball through traffic to Berg at the far post.

Berg was standing about six yards from the goal on the play, facing only South Korea keeper Jo Hyeon-woo. Instead of blasting a shot to either side of the net, Berg blasted an attempt directly at the goalkeeper.

Jo first blocked the shot with his foot, before the ball hit him in the face and bounced out of danger. Jo eventually cleared the ball by punching it out.

Granqvist eventually beat Jo on a penalty kick in the 65th minute to decide the match.

South Korea faces Mexico at 11 a.m. Saturday in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Sweden battles Germany at 2 p.m. Saturday in Sochi.