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Sweden ease past Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein 0-2 Sweden
Blågult skipper Zlatan Ibrahimović scored one and missed a penalty as Erik Hamrén's men kept pace with Russia in Group G and secured a play-off spot.

Highlights: Liechtenstein 0-2 Sweden
  • Marcus Berg nets 18th-minute opener
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic misses first-half penalty
  • Sweden captain doubles lead following restart
  • Vistors secure play-off berth with victory in Vaduz
  • Final qualifiers: Austria v Liechtenstein, Sweden v Moldova (Monday)

Zlatan Ibrahimović scored one and missed a penalty as Sweden beat Liechtenstein in Vaduz to keep their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying hopes alive.

Marcus Berg grabbed a first-half opener before Ibrahimović spurned the chance to increase their lead from the spot in the 40th-minute. However, the skipper made amends following the restart with a cool finish to secure the three points.

Needing a victory to keep the pressure on Group G rivals Russia, in second place, Sweden were first to threaten as Berg flashed an effort just wide on nine minutes. The visitors responded via Franz Burgmeier but his effort failed to test Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

Zlatan Ibrahimović misses from the spot
Zlatan Ibrahimović misses from the spot©AFP/Getty Images

Eight minutes later, the Blågult were ahead. Berg latched on to Jimmy Durmaz's pass, held off Mario Frick, then found the bottom corner from close range. Moments later, Berg squandered a glorious opportunity to double the advantage. The Sweden No19 met Jimmy Durmaz's precise cross from the left but blasted over from close range. In the 40th minute, Sandro Wieser conceded a penalty after catching Ibrahimović late, however Peter Jehle dived low to his right to keep out the forward’s low drive.

The visitors kept coming and were finally rewarded after the break, as Ibrahimović fired low past Jehle on 55 minutes after meeting Kim Källström's through ball. With the Ländle-Kicker resolve finally broken, Sweden were in no mood to loosen their grip on the game and continued to seek a third.

Ibrahimović and substitute John Guidetti missed late opportunities as Erik Hamrén's men kept pace with Russia and secured a play-off spot with Montenegro, in fourth, four points adrift.

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