Switzerland scored seven times in their first two matches in the group, and wasted no time in trying to add to that total, as Breel Embolo and Granit Xhaka tested home goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who was then powerless to stop an Embolo header from a corner striking the post, all in the first three minutes.
Embolo continued to cause Sweden problems – he rose highest 10 minutes later and planted a Dan Ndoye cross narrowly wide.
Sweden relieved some of the pressure with their first meaningful attack soon after, when Ken Sema found Lucas Bergvall and the outstretched Viktor Gyokeres tried to divert the header goalwards, but failure to get a touch saw the ball bounce the wrong side of the post.
Midway through the half, Blagult found their gear with some wonderful one-touch build-up down the right, resulting in Bergvall’s low cross finding Alexander Isak, but his shot struck the base of the upright.
Late in the half, the roles were reversed as Isak got free down the left and teed up Bergvall, but with the goal gaping, the Tottenham Hotspur produced a complete mis-kick and the chance was gone.
The stalemate continued to look threatened soon after half-time when Yasin Ayari shot wide for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side following an excellent counter-attack, before Ndoye brought the best out of Johansson once more.
Approaching the hour mark, the home goalkeeper did just enough to keep out a header from Ruben Vargas, who then followed up on the rebound, but Johansson made himself big to thwart him once more.
But the Rossocrociati finally found a way through in the 65th minute, when Alexander Bernhardsson’s touch brought Djibril Sow down inside the area, and Anthony Taylor awarded the visitors a penalty, which Granit Xhaka blasted down the middle.
Despite five home wins in succession, in which they scored 20 times, Sweden struggled to create chances after going behind until five minutes from time, when Bergvall collected a Gyokeres knockdown, only to fluff his lines again.
Switzerland ultimately held on for a third clean sheet in the group and a first head-to-head win since 1994, which they wrapped up in added time, when Johan Manzambi’s strike took a wicked deflection to carry it past Johansson.