A dramatic injury-time winner from David Villa handed Spain three key points and the lead in Group D while Sweden were left to cry over their missed chances. The Spaniards struggled for long spells of the game but were overall the better side. The Scandinavians managed to survive until the 92nd minute but then collapsed under the strike of current Euro 2008 top scorer Villa.

Due to injuries Sweden boss Lars Lagerback was forced to change the side which was successful against Greece. Christian Wilhelmsson, out for the rest of the tournament, was replaced by striker Johan Elmander, who re-adapted himself to the right winger position. In defence Fedrik Stoor stepped in for Niclas Alexandersson.

Following the positive performance against Russia, Spain boss Luis Aragones named an unchanged formation. Marcos Senna was preferred to Xabi Alonso and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was once again left on the bench.

As expected, Spain were in control of the game from the very start. Andres Iniesta went close with a powerful left foot shot while the Swedes were patiently preparing their counter attacks. However, the Spaniards proved once again to be a clinical side and following a corner kick they took the lead. David Silva crossed the ball into the box and Fernando Torres showed all his scoring talents by deflecting the ball into the net in front of two Scandinavian defenders.

Sweden’s reaction was positive but unsuccessful. Elmander’s effort from the edge of the penalty area only hit the side netting while Henrik Larsson’s lob went wide. Spain looked comfortable and able to keep possession but lost confidence when captain Carles Puyol was forced to make his way out due to a muscular injury replaced by Raul Albiol.

Just before the half hour mark Sergio Ramos should have been booked by the referee for a dive, while an active Elmander went close with a header. Sweden seemed confident at this stage and ready to hit the Spanish defence which had already been weakened by Puyol’s injury. At the 34th minute Stoor delivered a great cross from the right flank for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who controlled the ball scruffily but brilliantly turned around Ramos and beat Iker Casillas with an accurate shot.

David Villa tried to regain the lead for Spain but his screamer was controlled by Isaksson. The pressure was mounting and the Spaniards should have been awarded a penalty just before the break when Elmander knocked down Silva in the box with his right shoulder. The referee waved off the protests but the Iberians felt rightly aggrieved.

During the break Ibrahimovic was left in the dressing room since he is not ready to play the full 90 minutes and Rosenberg took his place.

Spain were again dangerous with Villa but 10 minutes into the second half Elmander was brought down on the right flank by Carlos Marchena, who saw yellow for his foul. Anders Svensson was also booked a few minutes later.

Aragones then opted for a double change taking off Iniesta and Xavi for Fabregas and Santi Cazorla. The substitutions seemed to work but Spain missed a fantastic chance at the 63rd minute. Silva controlled a low pass but his shot from the edge of the box was deflected by Isaksson, Villa jumped into the ball but his tap in smashed into the ‘keeper’s chest. The Valencia ace then crossed into the box before the ball went out but Torres’ poor attempt was cleared by the Swedish defence.

A few minutes later Senna’s long-distance attempt was deflected by the ‘keeper. Sweden struggled to come out of their half while Spain were piling on the pressure. A few corner kicks didn’t help the Iberians to regain the lead but the Scandinavians looked less of a threat without Ibrahimovic.

Larsson stepped in for a tired Elmander with 12 minutes to go and Sweden went close to score with a high ball from the left side which went through the box with no one able to touch it in.

Kim Kallstrom stepped in for Henrik Larsson while Fabregas earned a corner at the 85th but the Spaniards couldn’t create any openings. Just before full time Villa controlled the ball with his chest passed it onto Torres whose effort was once again saved by an outstanding Isaksson. Sweden went up front looking for a winner but Ljungberg’s attempt went out wide.

During stoppage time when both sides seemed to be settling for a draw, Villa superbly controlled a deep ball from Ramos he then went past Hansson and knock it behind Isaksson, almost handing Spain the mathematical victory in Group D and a place in the quarter-finals.
Sweden: Isaksson; Stoor, Hansson, Mellberg, Nilsson; Elmander (S Larsson 79), Svensson, Andersson; H Larsson (Kallstrom 86), Ibrahimovic (Rosenberg 46), Ljungberg

Spain: Casillas; Ramos, Puyol (Albiol 24), Marchena, Capdevila; Senna; Silva, Xavi (Fabregas 59), Iniesta (Cazorla 59); Torres, Villa

Ref: Vink (Hol)

Ref From channel4.com