Sweden are out of Euro 2012 after Danny Welbeck's late back-heeled winner earned England an entertaining come-from-behind 3-2 win in Kiev.
England were the better side in the first half and deservedly led through Andy Carroll's header after 23 minutes, but slack defending allowed the Swedes to take the lead with two goals from the unlikely source of Olof Mellberg after the break.
But the introduction of Theo Walcott for James Milner on the hour mark swung the momentum back in England's favour as the Arsenal player equalised within a few minutes of coming on.
And 12 minutes from time, England took the lead through a delicate touch from Welbeck.
Walcott drove toward the by-line before lifting a precise cross into Welbeck, who, with his back to the goal and on the turn, clipped the ball with his heel low and past Andreas Isaksson.
"To get the winning goal, I'm really delighted with that," Welbeck said after the game.
"Once Theo gets the ball in those positions he's deadly, he's going to obviously try and get a shot off or get the ball across the box, so I just set myself and once it came to me I knew what I was doing."
However, Sweden coach Erik Hamrén believes the Manchester United man was fortunate to find the back of the net.
He said: "Welbeck could play his whole life without another goal like that."
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| England forward Danny Welbeck scores a brilliant backheel winner against Sweden Photo: Getty Images |
England were the better side in the first half and deservedly led through Andy Carroll's header after 23 minutes, but slack defending allowed the Swedes to take the lead with two goals from the unlikely source of Olof Mellberg after the break.
But the introduction of Theo Walcott for James Milner on the hour mark swung the momentum back in England's favour as the Arsenal player equalised within a few minutes of coming on.
And 12 minutes from time, England took the lead through a delicate touch from Welbeck.
Walcott drove toward the by-line before lifting a precise cross into Welbeck, who, with his back to the goal and on the turn, clipped the ball with his heel low and past Andreas Isaksson.
"To get the winning goal, I'm really delighted with that," Welbeck said after the game.
"Once Theo gets the ball in those positions he's deadly, he's going to obviously try and get a shot off or get the ball across the box, so I just set myself and once it came to me I knew what I was doing."
However, Sweden coach Erik Hamrén believes the Manchester United man was fortunate to find the back of the net.
He said: "Welbeck could play his whole life without another goal like that."
Related links:
Personal
Also see:
