This was revenge served ice cold, straight out of the deep freezer, as Sweden finally remembered how to beat Germany in the sort of shock result this World Cup needed in the latter stages.

On an uncomfortably hot day in Rennes, the game played in the sort of oppressive, debilitating heat, that makes you long for a cold beverage or a swim to cool off, Germany wilted and eventually melted.

It has taken Sweden 24 years to enjoy an experience like this, to win a competitive game against Deutschland. When you have waited for more than two decades, any victory is refreshing, let alone a World Cup quarter final. The Scandinavians should not be under-estimated – no team that has beaten both Canada and Germany in knockout games in France can be taken lightly.

As for Germany, this will hurt. Their aura of invincibility has not just slipped, it is in danger of being erased completely. This is the second major tournament in a row they have underwhelmed, having also been dumped out of the Euros by Denmark two years ago.

Once the dominant power in European football, these are worrying times and tears flowed freely down German cheeks after the game, as the majority of players scowled and stomped their way through the post-match media zone without speaking.