Date: June 13, 2016
Result: Rep Ireland 1 Sweden 1
Scorers:
Rep Ireland: Hoolahan 47
Sweden: Clark og 71
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Match overview:
Republic of Ireland and Sweden shared the spoils at Stade de France in a match that neither could afford to lose. It was not a contest expected to feature much quality – relegated Norwich City had more players in this match than Milan have in the entire tournament – but Republic of Ireland took a deserved lead early in the second half through Wes Hoolahan. The Irish had dominated proceedings up until then but they sat back and invited Sweden to search for the equaliser. Despite some resolute defending to a succession of Swedish corners, the leveller eventually arrived when Ciaran Clak turned Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross-shot into his own net.
Key moment:
It had been coming. Wes Hoolahan’s goal, a splendid half volley after a run and cross from right-back Seamus Coleman was no more than Republic of Ireland deserved up until that point.
Man of the match:
Wes Hoolahan buzzed around behind Ireland’s two forwards and took his goal superbly. Ireland’s attacking play lost much of its impetus when he was subbed.
Matter of fact:
At an average age of 29.39 and with 11 players over the age of 30, Ireland are the oldest squad in the tournament. Robbie Keane became the oldest outfield player to play for Republic of Ireland at the Euros.
Talking point:
For most of the game, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a frustrating time. He was on a different level to his international team-mates and mostly found himself crowded out by an Irish defence that included two players relegated from the Premier League. And yet he still played a major part in Sweden’s equaliser, flashing in the cross that struck the unfortunate Ciaran Clark.
Stats:
Goal attempts
Rep Ireland 8
Sweden 7
Attempts on target
Rep Ireland 4
Sweden 4
Corners
Rep Ireland 5
Sweden 5
Line-ups:
Rep Ireland
23 Darren Randolph
02 Seamus Coleman
03 Ciaran Clark
04 John O’Shea
06 Glenn Whelan
08 James McCarthy (07 Aiden McGeady 84)
09 Shane Long
13 Jeff Hendrick
14 Jon Walters (11 James McClean 62)
19 Robbie Brady
20 Wes Hoolahan (10 Robbie Keane 78)
Starting formation: 4-3-1-2
Randolph – Coleman, O’Shea, Clark, Brady – McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick – Hoolahan – Walters, Long
Sweden
01 Andreas Isaksson
02 Mickael Lustig (03 Erik Johansson 45)
04 Andreas Granqvist
05 Martin Olsson
06 Emil Forsberg
07 Sebastian Larsson
09 Kim Kallstrom
10 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
11 Marcus Berg (20 John Guidetti 58)
14 Victor Lindelof
18 Oscar Lewicki (08 Albin Ekdal 85)
Starting formation: 4-4-2
Isaksson – Lustig, Granqvist, Lindelof, Olsson – Larsson, Lewicki, Kallstrom, Forsberg – Ibrahimovic, Berg
Yellow cards:
Rep Ireland: Whelan 78
Sweden: Lindelof 61
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Ser)
Attendance: 73,419
