The round up until now has provided us with pulsating matches full of high drama, first-class goals and one monumental comeback. By comparison, this contest at the St Petersburg Arena is the runt of the litter.

It wasn't pretty. It was, at least, well-matched.

Suspensions forced a selection reshuffle on both sides - for Sweden, Seattle Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson came in for Sebastian Larsson.

There were two changes in the Swiss back-four, with Michael Lang and Johan Djourou filling in for Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schar. Striker Josip Drmic, a scorer in their previous match against Costa Rica, was handed his first start of the tournament.

Neither side nor any individual player greatly impressed, but Sweden's defensive resolve yet again bore fruit, in the form of progression to the quarter-finals - a stage well beyond their expectations at the start of the tournament.

For Switzerland, it was a fourth consecutive knockout-stage match in a major competition in which they failed to score. With Drmic up front, and Scandinavia's very own Yellow Wall blocking their path, breaking that duck was never really on the cards.

SWEDEN

Robert Olsen (GK) - 7

There's a reason Sweden had four clean sheets in their previous five games leading into this one. With his outfield teammates forming two rigid rows of four in front of him, Olsen enjoyed, largely, a fuss-free afternoon. 

Mikael Lustig (RB) - 6

Had an up-and-down first half. The up part was executing a fine defensive header under pressure to prevent a goal. The down part was picking up a cheap booking for a shirt-pull that rules him out of the quarter-final - although he may have missed it either way, as he hobbled off late in the second half. He also completed fewer than half his passes.

Victor Lindelof (CB) - 7

Repeatedly in the correct position to block Swiss crosses.

Andreas Granqvist (CB) - 8

Switzerland won only 46% of their aerial battles in the group stages while Sweden won 61%. - there was no danger of the captain being beaten today.

Ludwig Augustinsson (LB) - 6

A full-back he may be, but there was little attacking intent from the Werder Bremen full-back. This Swedish side are a conservative, but effective, unit.