Radja Nainggolan’s 87th minute goal proved to be the winner and ended all hopes of Sweden’s qualification into the next round. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had decided to call it a day from international football just a day prior to the game, donned the Swedish yellow for the last time.
After a disappointing defeat at the hands of Antonio Conte’s Italy on matchday 1, the Belgium side pulled up their socks and answered back by winning both of their following games. On Wednesday, a Swedish outfit fighting for a spot in the round of 16 came all guns blazing, but Marc Wilmots’ men came up with the answers and managed to edge out their opponents. Radja Nainggolan scored a sublime long ranger – a goal that proved to be a fitting end to a cagey affair.
This is how the Chelsea target found the back of the net:
In the post-match press conference (via UEFA), Marc Wilmots said, “They were obliged to open up and if you do that against us you will be punished. Six points from nine is very good and since the defeat by Italy we have been very good.”
Chelsea player Eden Hazard received the Man of the Match award for a solid performance backed with an assist to Nainggolan’s goal. The 24-year-old stated, “It was a difficult match, complicated for our defenders. In the first half we had some possession and created chances. Nainggolan scored an important goal and from then on we had to manage the game.”
Goal scorer Radja Nainggolan also had a bit of insight to share. “It was a really tough match because they played with two up top and their wide men also came up in support, so it was really difficult, but we managed to create a lot of chances. We only got the one goal; perhaps we could have taken our chances a little better.”
When asked about his goal, he responded, “Sure, it was great. It was a bit lucky, as the ball was deflected. I aimed towards the far post and it was deflected perfectly. It doesn’t matter to me; the fact that we scored was the most important thing.”
Sweden head-coach Erik Hamrén expressed his sadness after his team finished bottom of Group E. “I’m very disappointed. We were talking before the game about the honour of representing Sweden and of being here, but I couldn’t have asked for much more from my players. I’m proud of them, even though we lost.”
“I hoped Zlatan would have had a better finish. The same goes for Isaksson and Källström, who have performed well for a long time and are also ending their Sweden careers,” stated Hamrén.
Cheers came pouring in on social media:
Belgium have absolutely no interest whatsoever in staying compact without the ball. Midfield covering 40 yards at times.
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) June 22, 2016
Hazard, De Bruyne and Ferreira-Carrasco is starting to look like it may be the solution to Belgium’s problem in that part of the field #gas
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) June 22, 2016
83 – Radja Nainggolan’s strike is Belgium’s first goal at the EURO’s after the 83rd minute. Hero.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) June 22, 2016
A goal as outrageous as his hair! Nainggolan!
— AS English (@English_AS) June 22, 2016
You know its Eden Hazard when this happens pic.twitter.com/VCsGOcyiVz
— Simply Hazard (@DareToHazard) June 23, 2016
Eden Hazard against #SWE
91% pass accuracy
66 touches
47 passes
5 chances created
3 dribbles
1 assist pic.twitter.com/upaY3LaFkL— Hazard Stuff (@HazardStuff) June 22, 2016
Eden Hazard beats his man, picks out Nainggolan on the edge of the box who fires one in from 20-yards. Excellent goal! #BEL
— TweetChelseaFC (@TweetChelseaFC) June 22, 2016
It was certainly not a fitting end for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s international career. He had a goal disallowed and saw his side finish rock-bottom in their group. However, his work-rate on the day was sublime and showed us exactly why Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing the striker to Manchester United. Zlatan also received praise from Hazard after the game. The Belgian said, “Zlatan will always be a huge name in football. He can still achieve a lot of things at club level.”
The footballing world gave him much needed acclamation:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s #SWE career:
116 games
62 goals#Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/oL3iNTPOTP— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 22, 2016
Zlatan Ibrahimovic thanks the crowd one last time before bowing out of the international game. #SWE pic.twitter.com/XnaaEiKBrq
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 22, 2016
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s international career comes to an end https://t.co/y6y9NHVkRa pic.twitter.com/Vy1yJRFVK3
— ❤ ⓙⓔⓡⓘⓝ ⓜⓐⓧⓦⓔⓛⓛ ❤ (@JerinMaxwell) June 23, 2016
In my opinion, Ronaldo has to learn to play, accepting that the rest of Portugal aren’t as good as him. Ibrahimovic knows and accepts it.
— Jfut12 (@jfut12) June 23, 2016
And like that, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was gone (from international football). #Euro2016 https://t.co/kJsGvxkhHc
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 23, 2016
“What Carew does with a football, I can do with an orange.”
Zlatan’s memorable #SWE moments https://t.co/Ts9anGwtmu pic.twitter.com/GFXYPBMbay
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 23, 2016
The ‘kid from Malmo’ was humble after playing his final #SWE game. ? #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/Fv0F1rdzcb
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 23, 2016
He has played his last ever game for Sweden! #MadeBySwedenhttps://t.co/xvwrM9SvgP
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) June 22, 2016
Farewell, legend!
