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Sweden centre-back and captain Andreas Granqvist put in a superb showing to lead his side to a 3-0 win over Mexico that sealed their spot in the round of 16 at the World Cup.

His penalty to make it 2-0, Granqvist’s second spot-kick of the tournament, put his side in control of their game and they ended up progressing as group winners.

Here’s an in-depth look at the Sweden skipper’s match-winning display.

30-SECOND REPORT

Granqvist is the classic old-school captain, a roaring, inspirational presence at the heart of his defence, leading from the front and coaxing the best out of his team-mates. He’d already done it once, the heroic 0-0 draw with Italy in the second leg of their qualifying playoff that sealed their World Cup spot. Wednesday, and he provided an encore.

GOT RIGHT

Attacking presence – It wasn’t just the penalty – Granqvist was a threat going in the opposing box all game, as Sweden targeted Mexico with an aerial bombardment. His presence for set-pieces caused havoc.

Leadership – Granqvist made sure his team-mates’ focus never dropped, commanding his back-line with aplomb, and proving a robust defender throughout. He was captain cool from the spot when taking his penalty.

GOT WRONG

Absolutely nothing. The 33-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong in defence, emerging successful in all of his attempted tackles and repelling what little attacking threat Mexico had. His big-game mentality is exactly what his team needed in a game of this magnitude, and he delivered, with a superlative display. This was a typical captain’s performance from Granqvist.

VERDICT

Granqvist knows he’s a totemic figure for his team, the man everyone else looks to when in high-pressure situations. His team-mates would have loved what they saw today – an absolute rock in defence, showcasing his best “you shall not pass” mentality at the back, and there’s no one they’d rather have taking a crunch penalty.

RATING – 9/10