Ibrahimovic inspires Swedish joy

Sweden 1-0 England
A run of nearly three years without a friendly win ended for Sweden as a second-half revival saw off fellow UEFA EURO 2004™ contenders England.

Ibrahimovic volley
Sweden went into the game on a run of six straight defeats in friendlies, and 15 without victory, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic's volley nine minutes after the break turned a game that England had been controlling. That goal was the signal for Sweden to dominate, and their 36-year unbeaten run against England was preserved on a day where they wore gold shirts to celebrate the Swedish Football Association's centenary.

Player changes
Fredrik Ljungberg, Michael Svensson and Andreas Jakobsson were all out for the home team, but captain Johan Mjällby was fit despite not having started for Celtic FC all season. England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, his new contract signed, rested several key players against his compatriots and was without David Beckham after the captain withdrew early this week. Alan Thompson came in for his debut on the left of midfield, but the new strike partnership of Wayne Rooney and Darius Vassell proved to be short-lived.

Defoe impact
After a quiet first seven minutes, Vassell was caught by Aston Villa FC team-mate Olof Mellberg and was forced off to be replaced by Jermain Defoe, giving a first senior appearance to the recent Tottenham Hotspur FC signing. He made an immediate impact, as his strong shot was directed on to the post by Rooney.

Hargreaves free-kick
Indeed that partnership - combined age 39 - proved hugely threatening in the first half. A foul on Rooney on 25 minutes gave Owen Hargreaves, wearing Beckham's No7 shirt, the chance to emulate the regular captain with a fine free-kick that cannoned off the woodwork. At the other end, Anders Andersson regularly tried his luck from distance, but closer to the target after the half-hour was an effort from Defoe.

Sweden substitutions
Sweden made five changes at half-time, while England changed their central defensive partnership to that of the experienced Gareth Southgate and debutant Anthony Gardner. Initially England continued on their dominant path, Defoe shooting only just over after a fine solo run. That, though, changed nine minutes into the half.

Brilliant goal
Substitute Kim Källström crossed from the Swedish left and Ibrahimovic twisted to volley the ball in for his seventh international goal. It was against the run of play, but Sweden took heart and began to have the better of the play. England then opted to make four further changes on the hour.

James save
This pattern continued as the home side had their best spell. On 76 minutes, Källström broke into the box and shot with ferocity, only to just miss the target with David James beaten. Soon after Christian Wilhelmsson got past Phil Neville, but the England goalkeeper saved with his legs.

Late effort
James was then called into action again from a Källström long-range effort, but Sweden had done enough to win, despite a late scare when substitute Joe Cole shot over from close range. Perhaps golden shirts should become compulsory for their friendlies.