Sweden 2-0 France 19. jun 2012

Sweden end on high, France progress
Sweden 2-0 France
A brilliant acrobatic goal by Zlatan Ibrahimović and Sebastian Larsson’s late strike ended France’s long unbeaten run and left them to face Spain.

A moment of brilliance from Zlatan Ibrahimović was the key to ensuring Sweden bowed out of UEFA EURO 2012 with a victory that sent France into a quarter-final with Spain as Group D runners-up.

Top of the section before the game but not quite through, France knew even a one-goal defeat would book their progress. The final margin was double that, Ibrahimović’s acrobatic goal and a late Sebastian Larsson clincher ending Les Bleus’ 23-match unbeaten run and ensuring that, at the third time of asking in Kyiv, Sweden did not see a lead turn into a defeat. England’s 1-0 win against Ukraine therefore meant they overtook France, who meet the holders on Saturday in Donetsk, where they are based for these finals and played their previous two matches.

Sweden could not improve on fourth place but with the majority of the support in the stands, they raced out of the blocks, Ola Toivonen – in for Johan Elmander up front – heading just wide and after some great Kim Källström skill, Larsson making Hugo Lloris save. At the other end Andreas Isaksson did even better to deny Franck Ribéry from close range.

Lloris was a relieved man soon after when Toivonen shook off Philippe Mexès, raced into the box, rounded the goalkeeper, but found the angle too acute and hit the outside of the post. Karim Benzema then smashed a shot over but that early hectic pace was not maintained in the stifling evening heat and gradually the openings dried up. On his major tournament bow Emir Bajrami on the Sweden flanks kept France on their toes, however, taking his chance in Rasmus Elm’s enforced absence.

There was some excitement later in the half when Benzema led a jinking break with Ribéry, whose effort was deflected wide. Perhaps that dropping of tempo was the reason Christian Wilhelmsson was sent on for Bajrami at the break, the substitute immediately menacing the France defence.

Benzema had the first clear chance of the second period, curling the ball wide, but Lloris needed to produce a great save to deny Larsson on 53 minutes. Barely 60 seconds later the France goalkeeper had no chance, Larsson crossing and Ibrahimović superbly twisting his body for a flying volley from the edge of the area.

Not long after the Sweden captain set up Wilhelmsson, so influential so quickly, but Lloris stood firm and then tipped over from Olof Mellberg. Florent Malouda replaced Hatem Ben Arfa and France rallied; Yann M’Vila, starting in place of injury doubt Yohan Cabaye, sent in a powerful strike that was well saved by Isaksson.

A Nasri cross so nearly found its way to Mexès but Mellberg slid in with perfect timing. Jérémy Ménez came on and a slight mis-hit allowed Isaksson to block his first effort; from the resulting corner another substitute, Olivier Giroud, headed wide when unmarked. However Sweden and their celebrating fans had the last word, substitute Samuel Holmén hitting the crossbar and Larssson smashing in the rebound. France’s advance was still never in doubt but Mexès will miss their encounter with Spain after receiving his second booking of these finals.

Lineups

Sweden

Sweden

France

France

1
Isaksson Andreas Isaksson (GK)
  1
Lloris Hugo Lloris (GK) (C)
 
3
Mellberg Olof Mellberg
  2
Debuchy Mathieu Debuchy
 
4
Granqvist Andreas Granqvist
  4
Rami Adil Rami
 
5
M. Olsson Martin Olsson
  5
Mexès Philippe Mexès
Yellow Card68
7
Larsson Sebastian Larsson
Goal90+1
7
Ribéry Franck Ribéry
 
8
Svensson Anders Svensson
Yellow Card70
Substitution79
10
Benzema Karim Benzema
 
9
Källström Kim Källström
  11
Nasri Samir Nasri
Substitution77
10
Ibrahimović Zlatan Ibrahimović (C)
Goal54
17
M'Vila Yann M’Vila
Substitution83
13
J. Olsson Jonas Olsson
  18
A. Diarra Alou Diarra
 
19
Bajrami Emir Bajrami
Substitution46
20
Ben Arfa Hatem Ben Arfa
Substitution59
20
Toivonen Ola Toivonen
Substitution78
22
Clichy Gaël Clichy
 

Substitutes

12
Wiland Johan Wiland (GK)
  16
Mandanda Steve Mandanda (GK)
 
23
Hansson Pär Hansson (GK)
  23
Carrasso Cédric Carrasso (GK)
 
2
Lustig Mikael Lustig
  3
Evra Patrice Evra
 
6
Elm Rasmus Elm
  6
Cabaye Yohan Cabaye
 
11
Elmander Johan Elmander
  8
Valbuena Mathieu Valbuena
 
14
Hysén Tobias Hysén
  9
Giroud Olivier Giroud
Substitution83
15
Antonsson Mikael Antonsson
  12
Matuidi Blaise Matuidi
 
16
Wernbloom Pontus Wernbloom
Substitution78
13
Réveillère Anthony Réveillère
 
17
Safari Behrang Safari
  14
Ménez Jérémy Ménez
Substitution77
18
Holmén Samuel Holmén
Substitution79
Yellow Card81
15
Malouda Florent Malouda
Substitution59
21
Wilhelmsson Christian Wilhelmsson
Substitution46
19
Martin Marvin Martin
 
22
Rosenberg Markus Rosenberg
  21
Koscielny Laurent Koscielny
 

Coach

  Erik Hamrén (SWE)     Laurent Blanc (FRA)  

Referee

  Pedro Proença (POR)

Assistant referees

  Bertino Miranda (POR), Ricardo Santos (POR)

Fourth official

  Pol van Boekel (NED)

Additional assistant referees

  Manuel De Sousa (POR), Duarte Gomes (POR)

Comments are closed.