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Second day of the group stage of Euro 2020, with in Group E a match between Sweden (2nd, 1 point) against Slovakia (1st, 3 points), in Saint Petersburg. After having drawn against Spain (0-0) and suffered like never before, the Blågult of Janne Andersson were looking for a first success. Surprised at this start of Euro, the Slovaks had the ambition to repeat the performance achieved against Poland (3-1) and thus validate their place in the round of 16 today.
Sweden presented themselves with the same 4-4-2 as against La Roja on Monday night, with a Berg-Isak duo at the forefront and star Forsberg as left midfielder. Dominators against the Poles, the Slovaks started with two new faces. Hrosovsky and Koscelnik replaced Hromada and Haraslin in the 4-2-3-1. This mid-afternoon game would allow heavy sleepers to take a nap. In a first act played under 30 °, apart from a head butt from Lustig which spun over the frame of Dubravka (14th), the show was poor.
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Tasteless first act, pleasant second act
At the break, Marek Hamsik and others were clearly satisfied with a point that brought them closer to the 8th. The Swedes still had neither scored nor conceded a goal in this Euro. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sorely missed. After witnessing long possession streaks in Act I, Slovaks and Swedes returned to the pitch with a little more envy. Served by Forsberg, Isak saw his strike barely blocked in the box (47 ‘). Duda’s shot, triggered with his right foot, passed just above Olsen’s goal (51st).
The guards ended up being called upon. Forgotten at the far post on an off-center free kick, Juraj Kucka placed a magnificent header that Olsen pushed back with a cuff … But the Parma player was reported offside (58th). Sweden responded with Augustinsson, mounted at the forefront, and whose header forced Dubravka to a reflex parade (60th)! Head again, Isak could not find the frame (68th). The Real Sociedad striker shone next, managing to take out three opponents before striking. Dubravka saved his family (71st).
Emil Forsberg unblocks Sweden
It was a penalty that allowed the score to be unlocked. On a deviation from Isak in the area, Quaison was ahead of Dubravka’s exit, who could not avoid him (75th). From the penalty spot, Emil Forsberg opened his right foot and launched Sweden (1-0, 76th). Author of a few dribbling numbers, Alexander Isak missed the 2-0, countered by Vladimir Weiss, before Tomas Hubocan saved in front of Viktor Claesson (82nd). The Slovaks pushed but did not equalize. Now leader of Group E with 4 points, the Swedes will face Poland in St. Petersburg, while Slovakia will finish in Seville, against Spain, on Wednesday.
Relive the meeting on our live commentary.
The classification of Group E.
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