Sweden 1-0 Slovakia
A spot kick converted by Emil Forsberg took Sweden to the top of Group E after a hard fought victory over Slovakia at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Both teams made great starts to the tournament and Euro 2020: Sweden vs Slovakia was a chance for each to edge closer to the knockout phase, but after a game with more effort than goalmouth action the big drama came in the last 15 minutes, as Sweden scored their penalty and Slovakia were denied a spot-kick of their own.
This won’t be a game featuring heavily in the Euro 2020 highlights programme for the tournament, the week, or maybe even the weekend…but it resulted in a crucial three points for Sweden who are now in a great position to qualify for the Round of 16. For Slovakia the game isn’t up just yet, but they’ll probably need to get something from their final match against Spain. The pre-tournament Euro 2020 betting odds didn’t give them much of a prayer so, when the dust settles on this game, the Slovaks will be pleased to still be in the competition with a game to play.
Highlights of the game
The first half was a dour affair with very little to show for. Slovakia knew that a point would likely be enough to see them through to the last 16, while Sweden are not known for their attacking flair. Slovakian legend Marek Hamsik tried to spark something but he blazed his shot over the bar as the opening 45 minutes fizzled out.
Sweden seemed to realise that a point was not enough for them as they came out for the second half with much greater intent, and when Ludwig Augustinsson met Seb Larsen’s cross with a thumping header Martin Dubravka pulled off a stunning save. Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak started to threaten, first meeting a cross from Mikael Lustig and heading narrowly over and then forcing a save from Dubravka at his near post after leaving two defenders in his wake.
As the clock ran down Slovakia took tricky winger Robert Mak and Hamsik off as they looked to settle for a draw, but the move backfired when Sweden went ahead almost immediately and it was Dubravka, who had already saved Slovakia twice, who made the crucial mistake, catching Robin Quaison as he ran through on goal.
Emil Forsberg stepped up and Dubravka guessed the right way but the penalty had too much pace and accuracy on it. With ten minutes to go Slovakia threw the kitchen sink at it, but they couldn’t force an equaliser against a stubborn Swedish defence superbly marshalled by Manchester United centre back Victor Lindelof.
The Slovaks had a series of corners and even Dubravka came up to add his weight; and they shouted for a penalty when the ball bounced up and hit a Swedish arm but neither referee nor VAR was impressed, and when Juraj Kucka fired a shot wide that was Slovakia’s last roll of the dice; too little and too late.
Key statistics
Sweden’s defence was imperious in the 0-0 draw with Spain, a result they somehow achieved with just 15 per cent possession. They conceded the bulk of the possession in this game too, with 41 per cent; but the Swedes were more effective with the ball, winning the shot count by 13 to ten with four shots on target to nil.
Slovakia were only the second side to fail to register a single shot on target in a game at Euro 2020, after Turkey did so in the tournament opener against Italy.
This was the fourth meeting between the two teams and Sweden remain unbeaten, winning two and drawing two, while the victory ended Slovakia’s six match unbeaten run, in all competitions.
Sweden have won seven of their last eight matches, drawing the other (against Spain); they don’t see much of the ball but they certainly know how to use it!
What’s next?
The SBOTOP Euro 2020 action continues at a frantic pace with box office action involving England and Scotland on Friday night, then Portugal play Germany on Saturday afternoon and, in the next Group E action, Spain play Poland on Saturday. After drawing with Sweden in their opening round, Spain will be desperate for a win, but they’ll be up against the most lethal striker in world football, Robert Lewandowski, who still has plenty to prove on the international stage.
Next Wednesday it’s Slovakia vs Spain and Sweden vs Poland as Group E comes to an end. At the moment it looks like Sweden and Spain for the top two places, but there are plenty of potential twists to come.
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