Belgium's Nainggolan floors Sweden with late strike in EURO 2016 Group E
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Article summary
Sweden 0-1 Belgium
An entertaining game was level until Radja Nainggolan settled matters with a deflected strike, as the Red Devils clinched second in Group E.
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- Belgium tie up second place in Group E after defeating Sweden in Nice
- Radja Nainggolan scores only goal for Red Devils, who meet Hungary in last 16
- Zlatan Ibrahimović finishes his Sweden career with 62 goals in 116 appearances
- Erik Hamrén's near seven-year tenure as Sweden coach is now over
Radja Nainggolan's deflected strike six minutes from time earned Belgium a place in the knockout stage of UEFA EURO 2016, in the process ensuring Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimović's stellar international career ended on a losing note.
A breathless encounter was heading for stalemate when the holding midfielder walked on to Eden Hazard's cutback from the byline and unleashed a right-footed drive that whizzed past Andreas Isaksson with the aid of a deflection off Erkan Zengin.
The goal also rubber-stamped the elimination of a Sweden side for whom Marcus Berg had corrected the unwanted statistic of not having had a shot on target all tournament – a fifth-minute volley that was beaten out by Thibaut Courtois.
The teams continued to trade blows as the contest ebbed and flowed, the pace belying the stuffiness of a warm night on the French Riviera. The roaming Kevin De Bruyne proved a handful for Erik Hamrén's men, who redoubled their efforts after the restart as the tempo remained high.
The Swedes were unable to fashion a breakthrough, however, and were eventually undone by Nainggolan's strike from outside the box, shortly after Romelu Lukaku and substitute Dries Mertens had been denied by Isaksson. Ibrahimović went close with a late volley, but the dream farewell goal was not to be.
The challenge for Sweden now is to regroup, with a new coach and captain, for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Hazard not only supplied the assist for Nainggolan's fierce drive; the skipper, with his dribbing and crossing ability on show, also set up five opportunities for team-mates on top of completing 43 of his 47 attempted passes.
De Bruyne influence
Though he started centrally, the Manchester City player was at his most dangerous on the left. Belgium's No7 will have been frustrated that nobody got on the end of two teasing crosses, delivered with either foot, while he twice tested Isaksson's reflexes from outside the area. Belgium have never lost when De Bruyne has scored, so if he finds his range then the Red Devils will be a match for anybody.
Ibrahimović watch
As was the case in his previous two outings, clear-cut openings were scarce for Ibrahimović. Playing in a stadium where he had netted twice in a 4-0 win for Paris Saint-Germain last December, Sweden's talisman had to manufacture his two first-half attempts, one of them an impudent flick and volley that was blocked. A header over the bar, a free-kick pushed away by Courtois and a last-gasp shot were the sum of his second-half endeavours.
Tepid Sweden
Sweden's downfall has ultimately been a lack of punch, although they gave it a go here in front of their own Prince Carl Philip. Only five players scored for the Blågult in qualifying, a much lower figure than for any of their group rivals, with Ibrahimović contributing 11 goals. If the big man was not firing, others needed to step up. With the No10 having donned the yellow jersey for the last time, that has become even more pertinent.
Reporters' views from Stade de Nice
Sujay Dutt, Sweden (@UEFAcomSujayD)
Sweden played patiently from the off. In the second half, knowing only a win would keep them in France, they upped their game, but concrete opportunities were few and far between. Although this was a better Swedish performance across the pitch than against Ireland and Italy, it was too little too late.
Berend Scholten, Belgium (@UEFAcomBerendS)
Marc Wilmots made only one change to the XI that began the 3-0 defeat of the Republic of Ireland, bringing in Nainggolan for the injured Mousa Dembélé. Inspired by the excellent De Bruyne, Belgium again created, with Thomas Meunier and Lukaku getting close before the late clincher.
Lineups
Sweden: Isaksson; Lindelöf, Johansson, Granqvist, Olsson; Larsson (Durmaz 70), Ekdal, Källström, Forsberg (Zengin 82); Berg (Guidetti 63), Ibrahimović (c)
Substitutes: Olsen, Carlgren, Lustig, Jansson, Hiljemark, Wernbloom, Augustinsson, Lewicki, Kujović
Coach: Erik Hamrén
Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Nainggolan, Witsel, Carrasco (Mertens 71), De Bruyne, Hazard (c) (Origi 90+3); R. Lukaku (Benteke 87)
Substitutes: Mignolet, Gillet, Fellaini, Denayer, Kabasele, Dembélé, J. Lukaku, Batshuayi, Ciman
Coach: Marc Wilmots
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)