Disgusting behaviour from a minority of Swedish fans helped spur the team on in Russia
Swedish World Cup goalscorer Ola Toivonen has revealed the motivation gathered by his national team after the racist abuse directed toward team-mate Jimmy Durmaz in Russia.
Durmaz, who was born in Sweden to Assyrian parents, was targeted on social media by Swedish supporters after a conceding the free kick that resulted in Toni Kroos' winner in the 2-1 loss to Germany in Sochi - a game in which Toivonen found the back of the net.
Prior to their group-defining match against Mexico, the national team stood behind Durmaz as he publicly denounced the treatment he received on social media, and Toivonen revealed the abuse galvanized the team and helped produced their extraordinary win over the El Tri.