Sweden v Portugal: Sebastian Larsson promises hard time for Cristiano Ronaldo in World Cup play-off

Portugal lead 1-0 after the first leg

Howard Webb is the referee for Sweden's tie (Getty Images)

Sebastian Larsson claims Sweden will be able to give Cristiano Ronaldo a rough ride in Tuesday night’s World Cup play-off in Stockholm because English referee Howard Webb will not fall for his “tricks”.

Portugal go into the match leading 1-0 from the first leg – Ronaldo scored the only goal with a diving header – but Larsson believes the appointment of an English referee could be crucial to Sweden’s hopes.

Ronaldo won a number of free-kicks in the first leg but Sunderland midfielder Larsson said: “We have an English referee so we can probably go in a bit harder. I do not think he is going to fall for the same tricks so easily. Howard Webb is used to refereeing where the game is a little more physical. He’s a great referee, too, which is important for such a game.”