Sweden have consolidated their second place in the group E after thwarting neighbours Finland 5-0 last night at the Rasunda Fotbollstadion. AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished the game with a hat-trick, his first two goals being scored within three minutes, while the last one came early in the second part. Kallstrom opened the score minutes into the game, while Bajrami gave Erik Hamren a comprehensive win which helps the side to remain second in the group, three points ahead of their main followers Hungary.
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Sweden had a strong start, their first big occasion coming in the seventh minute through. Elmander was played in good position, but his finish was saved at the death by the Finnish keeper Jaakkola. The opener came just three minutes later. Kalltrom beat his mark on the right to fire an apparent perfect cross which entered the goal instead of traveling across it. Things got much worse for the visitors who conceded a second one in the 30th minute. Svensson took advantage of the space he was given to feed Ibrahimovic in dangerous area form where he thundered a lovely shot into the bottom left for a 2-0 lead.
Five minutes later the scoreboard displayed 3-0. Larsson made a great job on the right and picked the former FC Barcelona star around the box area to beat Jaakkola for the third time and to complete a quick double. Sweden then won a free-kick 35 yards out which the same Ibrahimovic fired just wide in what could have been an early hat-trick. The half time went 3-0 as Finland were still looking for their pace. As for the second part, it showed the same Swedish powering through to a much more consistent lead and Ibra chasing desperately his hat-trick. The Serie A champion got the first chance in to 47th minute. Ibra penetrated the box where he was knocked down by Pasanen, but the referee let the game to move on.
Finalnd had a huge chance in the 50th minute through Forssell. The Finnish striker mocked a golden opportunity, firing a strike wide form good position in what should have been a first break through for Mixu Paatelainen. Eight minutes into the second part, Ibrahimovic completed his hat-trick. Sweden won a free-kick on the left Kallstrom picked him with for a superb header and a four-goal advantage. Finland broke back in the 60th minute through Moisander whose finish was saved at the death by keeper Isaaksson. Seven minutes before the final whistle the poor defending led to disaster. Ibra beat his marks to play Bajrami inside the box for a 5-0 humiliating defeat.
Said Finnish coach Paatelainen: “I’m very disappointed. At this level you can’t make the kind of mistakes we made; 5-0 is a devastating result. The standard that we play at and the mistakes that we make correspond to our position in the rankings. The only way is to develop and get better.” Sweden are second with 15 points, three behind the Netherlands who haven’t lost any game so far this qualifying round. Finland lie fourth with six points won in six games, six behind third-placed Hungary. Moldova have also won six points in six games, while San Marino lie foot of the table with zero points.
Both coaches made three changes. Hamren introduced Ibrahimovic early in the 25th minute for Toivonen, while Larsson and Elander were replaced minutes before the final whistle with Wernbloom and Wilhelmsson respectively. On the other side, Finland introduced Aaritalo and Halsti for Heikkinen and Hamalainen at the break, and Ring for Eremenko Jr. in the 80th minute.
Sweden – Isaksson; Wendt, Majstorovic, Mellberg, Lustig; Bajrami, Kallstrom, Svensson, Larsson, Toivonen; Elmander. Reserves: Z. Ibrahimovic, C. Wilhelmsson, P. Wernbloom, A. Gerndt, A. Granqvist, J. Wiland, P. Bengtsson.
Finland – Jaakkola; Toivio, Pasanen, Heikkinen, Moisander; Eremenko, Vayrynen; Hamalainen, Eremenko Jr., Hetemaj; Forssell. Reserves: A. Ring, M. Halsti, M. Aaritalo, D. Sjolund, T. Sparv, R. Riski.
