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2 vs 0
Played
June 20, 2012 2:45 AM SGT
NSK Olimpijs'kyj — Kyiv (Kiev)
Referee:‬ Pedro Proença‎
Attendance:‬ 63010‎
 
   
 
 

Euro 2012 Player Ratings: Sweden 2-0 France

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's wonder strike and Sebastian Larsson's late effort separated the two sides, giving the Blagult a farewell win and condemning Les Bleus to second spot

By Kris Voakes in Kiev

  • Andreas Isaksson
    27
    1
    3.00

    Andreas Isaksson

    Made a scrambled save from Ribery’s low drive and had to be on his toes to a couple of panicky moments, but on the whole he had his quietest game of the tournament by far until one great save from M’Vila and a block with his leg from Menez’s shot.

  • Olof Mellberg
    45
    0
    3.50

    Olof Mellberg

    Was forced to block from Ribery after a shoulder drop had seen the wide man lose a couple of Swedes, then almost headed a second for the Blagult. Again had to make a good block when Ribery looked set to equalise before also foiling Mexes.

  • Andreas  Granqvist
    11
    16
    2.00

    Andreas Granqvist

    Shown up by Ribery’s quick feet down the touchline and occasionally stood off too far as first Ribery and then Malouda looked to make hay down the left.

  • Martin Olsson
    21
    2
    2.50

    Martin Olsson

    Took to trickery as he attempted to win his duel with Debuchy, but was unable to express himself on the ball as is his normal desire. Got forward well once in the second half, but it was defensively that he impressed most, blocking well from Benzema late on.

  • Jonas Olsson
    21
    0
    2.50

    Jonas Olsson

    Occasionally pulled out of position, but largely did well except for when Benzema used his pace and power to pull away from him when coming inside.

  • Sebastian Larsson
    36
    1
    3.00

    Sebastian Larsson

    Looked to deliver telling crosses as ever, but he was asked to play a slightly different type of game thanks to the employment of Toivonen up front. Brought a sharp save out of Lloris with one shot, then played a disciplined role after Sweden took the lead before clinching the win in injury time.

  • Anders Svensson
    20
    3
    2.50

    Anders Svensson

    In what is likely to be his final international, the midfielder played a great role at the base of Sweden’s attacking game. Often among the first to close down whenever France had the ball, he also shifted the ball quickly to the more attacking midfielders before being replaced by Holmen late on.

  • Kim Källström
    23
    4
    2.50

    Kim Källström

    Unable to react quickly enough to half clearances by his back four at times, leaving Sweden under the cosh for spells in the first half. But after the break he seemed much more dynamic, and the Blagult looked all the better for it.

  • Emir Bajrami
    18
    8
    1.50

    Emir Bajrami

    Showed good desire to get away down the right, but then couldn’t get a decent cross in on his weaker foot. Unable to have nearly the same effect on the left, and was replaced by Wilhelmsson at the interval.

  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic
    192
    12
    3.50

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic Top of the Match

    A great touch and pass looked set to spark one attack, but then he lost out to M’Vila. Thereafter he seemed off the pace of his usual game before producing a stunning volley to break the deadlock in sensational style.

  • Ola Toivonen
    19
    4
    2.00

    Ola Toivonen

    Got up well for an early header across goal which just went past the far post, but then should have done better when hitting the outside of the post in a one-on-one with Lloris.

Substitutions

  • Pontus Wernbloom
    12
    1
    2.00

    Pontus Wernbloom

    Replaced Toivonen for the final quarter of an hour.

  • Samuel Holmen
    9
    3
    2.00

    Samuel Holmen

    Came on for Svensson with 15 minutes to go and was almost immediately booked for a foul on M’Vila.

  • Christian Wilhelmsson
    59
    1
    3.50

    Christian Wilhelmsson

    Came on at the break for Bajrami and immediately added extra urgency, including a great challenge which eventually led to Ibrahimovic’s stunning opener.

  • Hugo Lloris
    18
    6
    3.00

    Hugo Lloris

    Did well to push Toivonen wide after the striker had got in on goal, then suddenly had all sorts to do after the break, making good saves from Larsson, Wilhelmsson and Mellberg

  • Mathieu Debuchy
    6
    16
    2.00

    Mathieu Debuchy

    Had a simple 45 minutes in the first half, but suddenly found himself up against it much more after Wilhelmsson was brought into the fray, losing the ball in a couple of important moments of the game.

  • Adil Rami
    9
    14
    2.00

    Adil Rami

    His free kick attempt from 30 yards left a lot to be desired, and he never seemed comfortable whenever Toivonen turned and ran at goal. Laboured a little when Wilhelmsson chased down a ball soon after the break

  • Philippe Mexes
    10
    34
    1.00

    Philippe Mexes Flop of the Match

    Was almost punished when he mistimed a jump and allowed Toivonen to get one-on-one with Lloris, then got lucky when he pushed up and left Toivonen in behind from an angled pass. Booked for a foul in midfield which will see him miss the quarter-final against Spain.

  • Gael Clichy
    6
    16
    2.00

    Gael Clichy

    Almost delivered a perfect cross from the left as he timed his run well on the overlap, but then could have inadvertently helped Toivonen score when deflecting a pass toward the striker.

  • Franck Ribéry
    23
    7
    3.00

    Franck Ribéry

    Twice got in behind easily early on as he drifted between wings, then skinned Granqvist to tee up Benzema. Should have shot when trying to play in Benzema on the run, then saw Mellberg block a shot of his for a second time. Always France’s best hope.

  • Samir Nasri
    13
    12
    2.50

    Samir Nasri

    Showed from early on that he had the ability to slice open the Swedes with a pass for Ribery to chase, and later beat two before being halted by Kallstrom. Came very close to an equaliser when picking up a loose ball and drilling just wide of the far post.

  • Yann M'Vila
    14
    13
    2.00

    Yann M'Vila

    Brought great organisation to the French midfield, breaking up a couple of promising Swedish moves, but wasn’t able to add the energy when it was necessary after Les Bleus had fallen behind. Had one effort which brought the best out of Isaksson.

  • Alou Diarra
    11
    14
    2.50

    Alou Diarra

    Proved to be a really authoritative presence as France bossed much of the play around the middle. His comfort on the ball and eye for covering space were among the keys to Les Bleus being able to dictate the pace of the game for long spells.

  • Hatem Ben Arfa
    6
    28
    1.00

    Hatem Ben Arfa

    Criminally ignored to begin with as France sent most of the play through Ribery on the opposite flank, but then had Isaksson worried with a longe-range effort. Undersold Ribery on a one-two, and was soon replaced by Malouda.

  • Karim Benzema
    20
    22
    2.00

    Karim Benzema

    Should have done better when receiving Ribery’s pass and shooting hide and well with a first-time effort on his left foot. Shot well wide of the far post after working a great position, summing up a poor night personally.

Substitutions

  • Jérémy Menez
    15
    5
    2.00

    Jérémy Menez

    Brought on for the final 15 minutes in place of Nasri

  • Florent Malouda
    7
    14
    2.00

    Florent Malouda

    Replaced Ben Arfa just before the hour mark, but he always looked a little out of kilter coming in off the right.

  • Olivier Giroud
    23
    4

    Olivier Giroud

    A late introduction for M’Vila.

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