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Zivotic's Austria leveller denied Sweden

Austria 1-1 Sweden
Nikola Zivotic's equaliser got Austria off the mark in Group A and denied Sweden a second win and potential early qualification.

Zivotic's Austria leveller denied Sweden
Zivotic's Austria leveller denied Sweden ©UEFA.com

Austria bounced back from their opening game defeat by host nation Slovakia to draw with Sweden  and leave both sides with everything to play for in the last Group A games on Saturday.

Sweden had won their finals debut three days ago against Switzerland and the younfest player in their squad, Ali Suljic, put them ahead four minutes after the break. But Zivotic's stylish finish five minutes later means both teams go into their last fixtures with a semi-final place still within their grasp.

The contrasting opening-game fortunes of the two sides was evident early on. While Austria remained in their shell, Sweden started as brightly as the sunshine in Dubnica nad Vahom.

Their hero against Switzerland, Gustav Engvall, charged to and then along the byline before his shot was deflected enticingly to Isak Ssewankambo. But for Dominik Baumgartner's courageous block, the Chelsea FC midfielder would surely have broken the deadlock.

It was luck that prevented Austria defender Petar Gluhakovic gifting Roland Larsson's side the lead when he skewed his attempted clearance narrowly over his own bar. The full-back's relief was doubled when Linus Wahlqvist headed over from the resulting corner. Only rarely did Sweden find themselves in a similar state of high alert before the break, though Sascha Horvath– teed up neatly by Valentino Lazaro – swerved his drive wide of the target.

After Suljic had headed Sweden in front from Gentrit Citaku's corner, Lazaro played a brilliant role in quickly bringing his team level. With his back to goal, the midfielder's clever first touch took him away from his marker, and though Sixten Mohlin turned aside Lazaro's fiercely-struck shot, Zivotic turned in the rebound from a tight angle.

The Sweden goalkeeper then carefully watched an awkward Adrian Grbic free-kick on to a post. Daniel Ripic fired over as a wilting Sweden only just held out the closing stages.

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