Sweden stun France after late Hugo Lloris howler
ByTNT Sports
World Cup Qualifier, Friends Arena – Sweden 2 (Durmaz 43, Toivonen 90+3) France 1 (Giroud 37)
Ola Toivonen scored a sensational stoppage-time winner from inside to own half to give Sweden victory over France.
With just second remaining, Hugo Lloris came off his line to try and create one last chance for the French but got it all wrong, scuffing the ball to Toivonen who, from the halfway line, scored with a first-time shot.
Eralier Olivier Giroud has scored a superb solo goal of his own to give the visitors the lead, teeing himself up from 20 and then unleashed a thunderous, swerving strike that flew into the top corner. But within six minutes Sweden were level as Jimmy Durmaz produced another impressive goal.
France pressed for a winner late on but were unable to find one, before suffering the ultimate kick in the teeth with Lloris’ blunder.
The results means Sweden leapfrog France to go top of Group A. Both sides have 13 points, but the Swedes’ goal difference is superior.
TALKING POINT
Is France’s place in Russia in jeopardy? With so much talent at their disposal, most people just assumed France would qualify easily for the tournament. But they’re now behind Sweden in the table and will have to better their results, or at least get the same number of points and secure at better goal difference while doing so, if they are to qualify automatically. There’s still four games to go and France would still be post people’s favourites, but what looked like a formality thirty seconds from the final whistle is now a significantly more challenging task.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jakob Johansson (Sweden). The game will be remembered for the ending, but it was Johansson who was the best player on the pitch. He dominated against France’s formidable midfield, regularly breaking up play and using the ball smartly. He and Albin Ekdal deserve huge praise for making the 4-4-2 work tonight.
KEY MOMENTS
34’ – MISS! Mendy gets to byline and crosses for Giroud, who gets on the end of the whipped delivery six yards out, but is unable to divert the ball goalwards.
37’ – GOAL! Sweden 0-1 France (Giroud). What a hit! After missing that chance he required treatment and went off the pitch which perhaps explains why he's unmarked when a deflected cross makes its way to the top corner of the penalty area and he flicks the ball up before thumping it into the top corner past a helpless Olsen. A fantastic goal.
43’ – GOAL! Sweden 1-1 France (Durmaz). Sweden back level! Smart interplay down the left allows them to get a cross in, which Berg goes up for but is blocked and just as the home fans start to appeal for a penalty Durmaz burst on the scene to smash a first-time finish into the bottom corner past Lloris. Another lovely goal!
53’ – SAVE! Sidibe finds the overlapping Sissoko who in turn crosses to the near post for Griezmann, but his glancing header is straight at the goalkeeper.
66’ – SAVE! Forsberg produces a wicked, dipping effort from the free-kick and fortunately for Lloris it's straight down the middle of the goal so he can tip it over.
90+3’ – GOAL! Sweden 2-1 France (Toivonen). Oh my word Sweden have won it! Lloris come out to clear but gets it all wrong, scuffing the ball down the middle of the field where Toivonen meets it, first time, just inside his own half and scores a sensational winner!
PLAYER RATINGS
Sweden: Olsen 7, Lustig 7, Granqvist 7, Lindelof 6, Augustinsson 7, Durmaz 6, Ekdal 7, Johansson 9, Forsberg 6, Toivonen 7, Berg 6. Subs: Claesson 6, Larsson 6, Guidetti n/a.
France: Lloris 4, Sidibe 5, Varane 6, Koscielny 6, Mendy 6, Matuidi 5, Pogba 5, Sissoko 5, Payet 5, Griezmann 6, Giroud 7. Subs: Lemar 6. Mbappe 5.
KEY STATS
Giroud now has nine goals in his last 11 appearances for France.
This is just Sweden’s second win against France in 15 games.
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