Tuesday June 19, 2012 Group Stage: Group D Finished Olimpiyskyi

Sweden 2 - 0 France

  • Ibrahimovic 54’
  • Larsson 90’

55 comments | Write your comment

  1. Sweden condemn France to quarter-final with Spain

    Sweden condemn France to quarter-final with Spain

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one of the goals of Euro 2012 to give Sweden a 2-0 win over France, who must face Spain in the last eight. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Sweden
    • France
    • 90+4' Final whistle goes! Sweden sign off with a 2-0 win. France reach the last eight, but must face Spain on Saturday evening. England beat Ukraine 1-0 in Donetsk.
    • 90+1' GOAL! Larsson thumps a volley into the net from five yards out, and Sweden will sign off with three points. France all over the place. Again. Holmen hit the bar, but the ball broke kindly for the Swedes to finish off France.
    • 89' We are into four minutes of time added on...
    • 88' Sweden hold firm from Malouda's corner. Sweden look good for the three points as Rami just empties a ball straight out of play.
    • 87' Martin Olsson blocks the shot by Benzema. More fine defending. France have a corner here.
    • 86' Unless Ukraine can find two goals, France will go through as runners-up in Group D to face Spain on Saturday night. Probably deserve that match for this indifferent display.
    • 85' Debuchy overhits a cross looking for Giroud. More French frustration especially in the stands for their fans.
    • 84' Malouda throws over a corner. Excellent chance for France, but Giroud somehow heads wide from six yards out. Should be 1-1. Dreadful finish.
    • 83' Giroud replaces M'Vila for France. Time against the French in this match.
    • 82' Isaksson dives to keep out Menez, who can't get any power on his shot. Nice move, but the finish is awful. Like most of the French play tonight.
    • 81' France with almost 60 percent of possession. France have been pretty poor this evening. Blanc looks none too happy.
    • 80' Holmen booked for a clear late challenge on M'Vila. Interesting first few minutes for him then.
    • 79' Svensson is set bring the curtain down on his international career after 130 games. He makes way for Holmen.
    • 78' Wernbloom is introduced for Sweden with Toivonen departing on a humid old evening.
    • 77' Ménez arrvies for France with Nasri departing the action.
    • 76' Mellberg makes a terrific last-ditch tackle to deny Mexes a tap-in. Brilliant defending.
    • 75' France preparing to make a change here as Jeremy Menez readies himself to come on. Benzema sees a shot deflected wide. France win a corner.
    • 74' Wilhelmsson comes up with a lovely little ball to the back post. Just evades the run of Ibrahimovic. Swedes dangerous on the break.
    • 73' France restricted to shots from distance. No real French flair as yet to break through this wall of yellow shirts facing them.
    • 72' Sweden chasing their first competitive win over France since 1969 as Malouda lifts an effort over the bar.
    • 71' So difficult for France now with so many Swedish bodies behind the ball. Malouda bends a shot straight into Isaksson's hands.
    • 70' M'Vila whacks a blistering effort at goal, but Isaksson dives to tip the ball wide of goal. Fine attempt.
    • 69' Mexes will be out of the quarter-final - possibly against Spain on Sunday. Svensson has been booked by for Sweden.
    • 68' Nasri presses Martin Olsson hard before Benzema sees his shot blocked by Jonas Olsson. On we go with Sweden holding this 1-0 lead.
    • 67' Ribery crowded out of the action by three or four yellow shirts. Mexes has been booked for a late foul on Toivonen, who takes a clear dive.
    • 66' Granqvist with a clear foul on Ribery before Wilhelmsson is deemed to be offside out wide.
    • 65' Ribery sees a shot blocked after Benzema had done well to control the ball. France trying to pick out this equaliser.
    • 64' Martin Olsson cutting the ball off at source to deny Debuchy a cross. Fine defending.
    • 63' Nasri smacks an effort inches wide of goal from the edge of the box. So unfortunate for France. Sweden went to sleep there.
    • 62' Ukraine should be level against England, but the referee says it is not over the line. Replays suggest it was over the line as John Terry cleared the ball.
    • 61' Karim Benzema is the top scorer (seven goals) and top assist provider (seven assists) for France under Laurent Blanc. However, he’s failed to find the net with any of his 17 shots in the European Championships - 2008 + 2012.
    • 60' Benzema thumps an effort at goal from long range, but over the bar. France have 30 minutes to get themselves out of a tight spot.
    • 59' Change for France as Florent Malouda takes over from Ben Arfa.
    • 58' Another excellent save by Lloris to nudge a Mellberg effort over his bar. Sweden could be three goals ahead here. They remain 1-0 up.
    • 57' Wilhelmsson wallops a volley at the French goal, but Lloris makes a fine stop. France getting dragged all over the place.
    • 56' Diarra needing a spot of treatment here. Hard to argue that Sweden don't deserve this lead. Have looked the sharper side this evening. France heading for a meeting with Spain on Saturday night the way things stand.
    • 55' Lloris was forced to save from Larsson seconds earlier, but he played provider there to come up with a brilliant ball into the middle.
    • 54' GOAL! Ibrahimovic smashes a volley into the corner of the net. A stunning goal. Stunning goal. Sweden hold a 1-0 lead.
    • 53' Martin Olsson forced to put the ball out of play under pressure from Ben Arfa, but another French move falls short.
    • 52' Swedes not playing like a side who are already out the tournament as Ribery sees his cross cut off by Mellberg.
    • 51' Lovely piece of play by Benzema. Just onside, but drags the shot inches wide of goal. Excellent effort from the Real Madrid forward.
    • 50' Only one of France’s 10 attempts in the first half against Sweden has tested goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. That says it all about a pretty woeful first period.
    • 49' Larsson tosses a ball into the middle, but about three Swedes offside as Mellberg heads straight into the arms of Lloris.
    • 48' A goal in Donetsk as Wayne Rooney scores for England. They lead Ukraine 1-0 and they will top the group unless there is a change in this game.
    • 47' Wilhelmsson gives Lloris the slip. Going to knock the ball into the net, but he is just offside.
    • 46' Wilhelmsson has replaced Bajrami for the Swedes as this second half gets off and running. Like Spain last night, France could do with a goal to calm their nerves.
    • 45+1' Toivonen again caught offside after Nasri missed a clearance. Nasri hobbling here. A half of few opportunities, but the whistle sounds for the break. 0-0. All to play for in the second period.
    • 44' Mellberg gets a very good block on the shot from Ribery. A corner to the French late in the first half. Larsson gets the ball out from Nasri's corner before Toivonen is caught offside. One minute to be added.
    • 43' Nasri bumps Martin Olsson off the ball and the Swedes will have a free-kick deep in their own half.
    • 42' A hot and humid evening in Kiev, and the French are looking hot and bothered in these opening 42 minutes. France yet to find the key to open the door.
    • 41' Mellberg getting a bit too close for comfort to Ribery. Another France move ends in failure as Benzema drags an effort well wide of goal.
    • 40' Mexes hits the deck after being felled by Toivonen. No messing about from the referee as he blew straight away for that foul.
    • 39' Ibrahimovic has scored five goals at European Championships. Only six players have scored 6+: Nuno Gomes (6), Thierry Henry (6), Patrick Kluivert (6), Ruud van Nistelrooy (6), Alan Shearer (7) and Michel Platini (9).
    • 38' Both teams taking on water here as Nasri hobbles to the side of the pitch to get some magic spray. Sweden get the action back underway.
    • 37' Nasri needing some treatment after he is taken out of the action late by Källström. He will need a spot of attention.
    • 36' Ribery thinking of firing a shot at goal, but ends up overhitting an intended pass for Benzema to Sweden goalkeeper Isaksson. Frustration for France.
    • 35' Benzema to Ribery on the edge of the Swedish box, but Benzema halted his run from the one-two, and Sweden can break up the play.
    • 34' Ben Arfa unloads another shot 25 yards out. Ball dips just over Isaksson in the Swedish goal. Arfa getting closer to the target.
    • 33' Mexes forced to knock the ball away from Bajrami after he came up with a superb run and cross. France not too convincing at the back.
    • 32' Toivonen gets caught miles offside before Lloris takes him out of play. Flag is up as a few Swedish fans appeal for a penalty.
    • 31' As we stand, France and England are going through in the top two slots, but plenty of football to be seen out tonight before that is guaranteed.
    • 30' Debuchy picks up the ball out wide. Ball makes its way over the other side to Clichy whose cross is nodded away by Jonas Olsson. Better passing from France.
    • 29' Nasri's free-kick is headed out by Ibrahimovic. Just all a bit of struggle this at the moment for France. Still 0-0 in Donestk between Ukraine and England.
    • 28' France with 55 percent of possession, but yet to really establish their dominance as Larsson brings down Ribery.
    • 27' Jonas Olsson makes a superbly timed block to deny Benzema a free shot at goal. Brilliant defending.
    • 26' Rami was always going to try his luck from that range, and was always likely to lift the ball well over the bar, which he does. We remain at 0-0.
    • 25' Larsson seemed to go in late on Ribery, and France now have their own free-kick from 40 yards out.
    • 24' No many chances being created for either side at the moment. All a bit cagey. Debuchy hauled back by Bajrami out wide.
    • 23' Sweden have won only two of their last 13 matches at the Euro finals, losing the last four. The record for consecutive defeats is held by Yugoslavia who lost six on the bounce.
    • 22' Martin Olsson and Ben Arfa collide going for a loose ball out wide. Ribery then doing a good job to win the ball from Granqvist.
    • 21' French coach Laurent Blanc won Euro 2000 as a player. He can become only the second person after Berti Vogts to win the European Championship both as player and coach. Berti Vogts was part of the winning squad at the European Championship in 1972 (did not play) and led Germany to Euro 1996 glory.
    • 20' Jonas Olsson takes up a menacing position inside the French box. Nods the ball to Larsson, who can only whip a volley over the bar. Sweden again making forward strides.
    • 19' Diarra is penalised for a late challenge on Ibrahimović. Sweden with a free-kick just inside the France half.
    • 18' Ribery dashes away from Granqvist. Picks out Benzema with a lovely cross, but the forward lifts the volley well over the bar.
    • 17' Hatem Ben Arfa is making his first ever competitive start for France this evening. Still 0-0 in the other game between co-hosts Ukraine and England.
    • 16' Benzema caught offside. Sweden playing a high line up the park, pressing the game as much as possible.
    • 15' Bajrami stops Benzema from getting a cross in. Corner to the French, but Nasri's delivery is headed clear by a yellow shirt.
    • 14' France looking to get on the ball here to get their passing game going. France’s shooting accuracy is the highest at Euro 2012: they’ve tested the opposition goalkeeper with 68% of shots.
    • 13' M'Vila thumps a shot at goal from distance, but wide of luck there. Cursing his luck. And on we go.
    • 12' Toivonen gives Mexes the slip. Bounds beyond Lloris, but takes it too far and ends up clipping the side of the post. A real 'get of jail' moment for the French.
    • 11' France’s win against Ukraine in the last round of matches was their first at a major tournament since their semi-final victory against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.
    • 10' Ben Arfa not needing any invitation to turn and shoot. Tries his luck from 30 yards, but well over the bar.
    • 9' Isaksson forced to make a smart block after Ribery whacked a shot at goal. Plenty of hesitation in that Sweden defence with Benzema causing a nuisance of himself.
    • 8' Larsson can't get the free-kick over the first man. How many times have we seen that? An exciting start here. Sweden looking very relaxed.
    • 7' Lovely ball from Benzema as he dropped deeper to play provider. Rami then fouls Ibrahimovic out wide, and Sweden can throw this into the danger zone.
    • 6' Debuchy finding a bit of space. His cross is cleared by Martin Olsson before Ben Arfa thumps a shot well wide of goal.
    • 5' Källström dinks a ball deep to the back post as Larsson heads straight into the palms of Lloris. Easy enough take for the French keeper. Solid play by Sweden.
    • 4' Toivonen with a free header in the middle. Great ball from Martin Olsson, but not taken as the ball drops wide. Almost a shock lead for the Swedes. Warning for France.
    • 3' France only need a draw to ensure progress to the quarter finals whilst Sweden are already out. The French are unbeaten in their last 23 games (16 wins, seven draws), the longest current run among all 16 teams taking part in Euro 2012.
    • 2' Svensson takes out Ribery with a late challenge. A free-kick to the French out wide, but no harm done as Sweden quickly win possession at the back.
    • 1' England and Ukraine kick-off just ahead of us. We are off and running here. France all in white get the ball rolling. Sweden in traditional yellow.
    • 19.42 Plenty of noise from the anthems. Important both teams make a fast start tonight, but surely France will have too much for the Swedes. Almost ready to go.
    • 19.40 UEFA has announced that there will be a minute's silence before this match in tribute to commentator Thierry Roland, who died on Saturday aged 74. Roland was France's most popular sports broadcaster with a career that spanned six decades, during which time he covered 13 World Cups, nine European Championships and several Olympic Games.
    • 19.35 Sweden and France have met once before in European Championships, drawing 1-1 in Euro 1992 in Solna. Overall, France are unbeaten in their last 11 games against Sweden (six wins, five draws), last losing to them in October 1969. Their last encounter came in a friendly in August 2008, with France winning 3-2 in Göthenburg.
    • 19.30 Big night for the French, but the Swedes are again out in force this evening. Sweden heading home after tonight from this tournament. Would love to do so with a win. Odds on this match tonight..Sweden 9/2, France 4/6, Draw 11/4..France favourites then...
    • 19.27 Desmond Kane has revelled in Roy Keane's work as a pundit during this tournament, and feels he has been unfairly criticised for offering his opinion. Kane: Candid Keane hardly a pain in the a
    • 19.25 Sean Fay has signed off from the tournament by admitting that he was proud to be part of the 'Irish' experience despite his side losing three straight matches. Lord of Gdansk: Fans won't share players' regrets
    • 19.20 So our Eurosport staff men have been busy over the past few hours bringing you some bits and pieces. Our man in Ukraine, Tom Adams, has been watching a lot of football at the tournament. France could face Spain in the last eight, and that wouldn't be a bad thing for either the French or England according to Tom. Indulgent Spain show mortal side
    • 19.15 Laurent Blanc (France manager): "There's always the danger that you may take your eye off the ball. So it is up to us to prepare seriously. We also need to be very aware of what we want to achieve. We were very happy following the Ukraine game, rightly so, but as I said to the players, we now need to prepare for the next game, as a game like this against Sweden demands it."
    • 19.10 Erik Hamren (Sweden coach): "We feel sad to be leaving Kyiv and Ukraine. We have had a fantastic time here – we could happily have stayed in our hotel a lot longer. When we lost against England, the squad were very down, and if we had been in a bad place they would have really felt that, but we had a great day on Sunday. We trained earlier so they could have a relaxed afternoon and evening. We're sad to be going."
    • 19.05 France and England both need a draw to be sure to go through, Ukraine need to win and Sweden are out. Of course, it is never quite that easy. France can afford to lose and still advance if Ukraine do not beat England. Even then a single goal defeat by Sweden would still see the French through on goal difference.  In exceptional circumstances, England could also lose and still qualify. If Sweden beat France, it would come down to goal difference between England and the French.
    • 19.00 With Yohan Cabaye training separately from the rest of the France squad as he carries a knock sustained in the 2-0 win over Ukraine, M'Vila comes into the midfield for his first start of the tournament. Striker Karim Benzema faces competition from Olivier Giroud for the role of lone striker after failing to score in his previous two games, but gets the nod. Arsenal defender Laurent Kocielny is in the squad, but Adil Rami is again given the nod.
    • 18.55 Midfielder Emir Bajrami has been included in Sweden's starting line-up against France in place of the ill Rasmus Elm. Coach Erik Hamren made two changes from the team who lost 3-2 against England and are already eliminated from the tournament, with Ola Toivonen replacing the injured Johan Elmander up front. Hamren said on Monday that Elm was ill and a decision on his participation would be made on Tuesday, while he had already announced that Elmander would be rest.
    • 18.50 Teams: France: Lloris, Clichy, Debuchy, Mexes, Rami, Ben Arfa, Diarra, M’Vila, Nasri, Ribery, Benzema////Sweden: Isaksson, Granqvist, Mellberg, M-K Olsen, A Olsen, Svensson, Kallstrom, Larsson, Ibrahimovic, Bajrami, Toivonen
    • 18.45 Good evening and welcome to LIVE coverage of France against Sweden from Kiev. A win for France sees them through. A draw for France sees them through. Only a shock defeat gives the French any sort of worries tonight. Many a slip twixt cup and lip. Avoiding Spain in the quarter-finals may be the wise choice for France and England this evening. But of course do not write off Ukraine.

  • Summary

    • 90+1' GOAL! Larsson thumps a volley into the net from five yards out, and Sweden will sign off with three points. France all over the place. Again. Holmen hit the bar, but the ball broke kindly for the Swedes to finish off France.
    • 84' Malouda throws over a corner. Excellent chance for France, but Giroud somehow heads wide from six yards out. Should be 1-1. Dreadful finish.
    • 70' M'Vila whacks a blistering effort at goal, but Isaksson dives to tip the ball wide of goal. Fine attempt.
    • 63' Nasri smacks an effort inches wide of goal from the edge of the box. So unfortunate for France. Sweden went to sleep there.
    • 58' Another excellent save by Lloris to nudge a Mellberg effort over his bar. Sweden could be three goals ahead here. They remain 1-0 up.
    • 57' Wilhelmsson wallops a volley at the French goal, but Lloris makes a fine stop. France getting dragged all over the place.
    • 54' GOAL! Ibrahimovic smashes a volley into the corner of the net. A stunning goal. Stunning goal. Sweden hold a 1-0 lead.
    • 51' Lovely piece of play by Benzema. Just onside, but drags the shot inches wide of goal. Excellent effort from the Real Madrid forward.
    • 12' Toivonen gives Mexes the slip. Bounds beyond Lloris, but takes it too far and ends up clipping the side of the post. A real 'get of jail' moment for the French.
    • 9' Isaksson forced to make a smart block after Ribery whacked a shot at goal. Plenty of hesitation in that Sweden defence with Benzema causing a nuisance of himself.
    • 4' Toivonen with a free header in the middle. Great ball from Martin Olsson, but not taken as the ball drops wide. Almost a shock lead for the Swedes. Warning for France.
    • 18.50 Teams: France: Lloris, Clichy, Debuchy, Mexes, Rami, Ben Arfa, Diarra, M’Vila, Nasri, Ribery, Benzema////Sweden: Isaksson, Granqvist, Mellberg, M-K Olsen, A Olsen, Svensson, Kallstrom, Larsson, Ibrahimovic, Bajrami, Toivonen

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.8 7
      Defenders
      5.7 6
      6.3 8
      6.3 8
      6.4 8
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out78′ 6.2 7
      7.1 7
      Goal 7.3 8
      Goal 8.1 8
      Substitution Out45′ 6.1 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out78′ 6.8 5
      Subs
      Substitution In45′ 6.7 7
      Substitution In78′ Yellow Card 6.2 6
      Substitution In78′ 6.7 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.4 7
      Defenders
      5 6
      3.1 4
      Yellow Card 2.9 5
      4.4 6
      Midfielders
      4.6 6
      Substitution Out77′ 2.7 6
      Substitution Out83′ 4.2 5
      Strikers
      Substitution Out59′ 3.2 6
      5.7 6
      4.6 5
      Subs
      Substitution In59′ 2.6 6
      Substitution In77′ 4.1 6
      Substitution In83′ 5.7 5

Comment 35 - 55 of 55

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  1. The French had 24 shots what a side! Benzema what great­ shooting! I feel sorry for the man who has to count­ them!

    From , on Wed 20 Jun 19:21

  2. As Long a the French had the most shots that's what­ they thought was the important stat against England!­ Benzema can score from 30 yards everyday so watch out­ Spain!

    From , on Wed 20 Jun 19:16

  3. llllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ ollllllllllllllllllll

    From Kaye, on Wed 20 Jun 16:42

  4. bapak­ kau....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz­ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz­ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz­ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz­ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    From pejabat_kesihatan, on Wed 20 Jun 2:14

  5. France just like the Dutch,cant defend at all. at least­ England are a bit better with defending.

    From Lydia, on Wed 20 Jun 0:07

  6. England beat Sweden and we all said that Sweden were­ not or are not a good team, but they beat a very good­ froggy team 2 - 0. I for one hope england get through­ to the semis at least and then its every man for­ himself. With Rooney back and having players now in the­ team who had it not been for certain players getting­ injured ( Barry, Lampard, Cahill, Bent ) wouldn't­ have had a look in, BUT they have and they have done­ extremely well. We can beat the italians, and gerrard­ knows we can, again.

    From chicolew, on Tue 19 Jun 23:48

  7. What a strike.......Wish he was at Liverpool.

    From McGoropiyana, on Tue 19 Jun 23:15

  8. france was tryn to avoid spain......well i think it­ worked if that was your plan.....italy will be easier­ to beat than france.......good game sweden!!!!

    From alfred flowers., on Tue 19 Jun 22:42

  9. Loooool where is le frog from France? Ahahaha have fun­ against Spain.

    From Benny, on Tue 19 Jun 22:38

  10. Blanc should have use Evra as left back. Both goals­ came from France's left back position where Clichy­ was nowhere to be seen. If any team that can knock­ Spain out, that is France. Spain would rather prefer to­ play England than France.

    From wunna, on Tue 19 Jun 22:37

  11. gabo t est une tanche ..t est la honte de la france­ donc change de passeport..

    From Camille, on Tue 19 Jun 22:28

  12. It s at the end of the war than you count the death...­ France may lost a battle but difinitely not the war. A­ knocked out stage is everyone game.

    From Camille, on Tue 19 Jun 22:23

  13. Too bad the damage was done for Sweden in their first­ match, against Ukraine. Had they won it, they would­ have been through now.

    From Florian, on Tue 19 Jun 22:03

  14. Remember when france are on switch off your telly if­ you want to remain sane worst team left in the­ tournament yes that means even worse than greece and­ thats saying a lot.

    From stevo, on Tue 19 Jun 22:02

  15. Only ribery was good for the french the others are just­ big names for lazy overrated players .Quality goal from­ ibrahimovitch it's a shame the swedes have to go­ out cos they also played quite well against england

    From Jesus, on Tue 19 Jun 21:58

  16. France are rubbish they will try to bore their way past­ spain i hope they get thumped

    From stevo, on Tue 19 Jun 21:57

  17. HA

    From Dat gunner, on Tue 19 Jun 21:51

  18. Since the outcome of any soccer match is mostly­ determined by ref decisions and other forms of luck,­ France have about as good a chance of winning as any­ team.

    From GlennF, on Tue 19 Jun 21:50

  19. I fancy Spain to play France off the pitch and ease to­ a comfortbale win - even if Torres is off colour. Spain­ simply have to much for France to handle. Still think­ it'll be Spain v Germany in the final. Sweden are a­ pretty average team so France must have been really­ poor tonight to lose 2-0. Spain have nothing to fear­ while France may aswell start packing their bags now.

    From Rob T, on Tue 19 Jun 21:49

  20. It's funny cos before this match a lot of people­ thought France was actually a good team,these same­ people will criticize france tomorrow .As for England­ it's very simple ,when they loose they're the­ worst team ever ,when they win they're the best­ team in the world .

    From Jesus, on Tue 19 Jun 21:45
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