World Cup 2018: Sweden manager Janne Andersson accuses Germany of showing disrespect after Toni Kroos winner

Andersson felt Germany's bench crossed the line with their conduct after Kroos' late winner

Janne Andersson has accused Joachim Low and Germany showing disrespect after Toni Kroos’s stoppage-time free-kick consigned Sweden to defeat in Sochi.

Kroos struck in the final minute of added-on time to give the World Cup holders a realistic chance of qualifying from the group stage.

The strike was met with wild celebrations from the German bench, many of whom ran onto the pitch to celebrate with Kroos.

Scuffles broke out between the two benches in aftermath of the goal and Andersson later claimed the behaviour of some German staff had crossed the line.

“Some of the group leaders of their team celebrated by running in our direction, rubbing it into our faces by making gestures,” he said. “That really got me annoyed and angry.

“We had fought it out for 90 minutes and at the end you should shake hands. So I was very angry with that.

“People behaved in ways that were not good,” Andersson added. “You should leave your opponents to feel sad. You do not act in the way they did. We reacted very strongly.”

Low denied all knowledge of any German player or staff member ridiculing their Swedish counterparts.

“Who made any gestures? Did I make a gesture? I didn’t witness that,” he said. “We were concentrated on other things.

“We just hugged each other. We were just elated. I didn’t see any aggressive gestures at the Swedish bench.”

Sweden took the lead on the night through an expertly-taken Ola Toivonen finish and could have led earlier had Jerome Boateng been punished for a push on Marcus Berg inside the area.

Marcos Reus equalised for Germany shortly after half-time and despite Sweden’s best efforts, they ultimately succumbed to Kroos’ spectacular late strike.

After the final whistle, Andersson lamented the officials’ failure to award Berg a penalty and questioned why VAR had not intervened.

“I have not watched it but the people on my team who have say this is a clear penalty,” he said. “If you have [VAR], it is unfortunate that [the referee] feels so secure in the situation not to have a look.”

Andersson added: “There are so many feelings around right now but it is the most disappointing end to a game I have ever felt.”