Zlatan Ibrahimovic denied the Faroe Islands a famous FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over Sweden, with his goal and assist enough to cancel out Rogvi Baldvinsson's shock opener. The north Atlantic minnows had defied expectations in keeping their illustrious visitors at bay until the break, and Baldvinsson's cool conversion increased the pressure on Erik Hamren's men. A tame Sweden had just enough bite to avoid embarrassment, though, Ibrahimovic setting up Alex Kacaniklic before rubberstamping the points himself in the 75th minute. The hosts had goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen to thank for keeping them alive until half-time, with the ex-Manchester City man making a string of fine saves. Ibrahimovic proved a constant threat, forcing a couple of desperate parries from Nielsen in the first 30 minutes, with Mathias Ranegie also foiled by the resilient stopper. The islanders began to grow in confidence and soon began to push Sweden back into their own half, but it took another confident block from Nielsen to keep Ibrahimovic's powerful drive out of the net before the break. Lars Olsen's charges continued to work tirelessly and got their reward in the 56th minute, Baldvinsson streaking away to celebrate after finding the bottom corner of Andreas Isaksson's net. But Sweden would not have to wait long to set the record straight as Kacaniklic drilled home Ibrahimovic's weighted pass eight minutes later. Either from the giddiness of having taken the lead or the shock of having surrendered it so quickly, the Faroe Islands conceded again in the 75th minute. Provider turned goalscorer as Ibrahimovic slotted home to spare Sweden's blushes and guarantee a second victory in Group C. FIFA
GMT 18:45 2018 Wednesday ,10 January
Chinese FA warns clubs over Aubameyang 'bidding war'GMT 19:28 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Neymar, PSG run riot in French CupGMT 15:08 2018 Sunday ,07 January
Bayern's Heynckes rules out Vidal Chelsea moveGMT 14:59 2018 Sunday ,07 January
Napoli cement top spot as Lazio's Immobile hits fourGMT 16:04 2018 Tuesday ,02 January
Schedulers are against us, Arsenal manager Wenger complainsGMT 15:54 2018 Tuesday ,02 January
Manchester United lift Mourinho, Liverpool leave it lateGMT 19:04 2017 Sunday ,31 December
Lukaku adds to Mourinho's woes as United lose groundGMT 18:58 2017 Sunday ,31 December
Inter, Roma held as Benevento finally win
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor