England sends Sweden packing
A magnificent goal by Danny Welbeck did it for England
KIEV, Ukraine ● England remained on course for a place in the knockout rounds of Euro 2012 after coming from behind to send Sweden crashing out of the tournament with a 3-2 victory here Friday.
Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck scored a well-taken winner for England in the 78th minute after the introduction of substitute Theo Walcott swung a see-saw Group D battle back in his side’s favour.
England had got off to a dream start when recalled striker Andy Carroll headed them into a 23rd-minute lead.
But an own goal from Glen Johnson on 49 minutes followed by a header from Olof Mellberg in the 59th minute threatened to set up a disastrous night for Roy Hodgson’s side.
> Before Euro 2012, Sweden had never lost a ECh match in which they took the lead. Now they already have lost twice after taking the lead against Ukraine and England.
> It is the second time that Sweden could not win 4 consecutive matches at the ECh, after losing three matches and drawing once between 1992 and 2000.
> Theo Walcott became England’s first substitute to score in a ECh match.
> Theo Walcott was the ninth substitute to score and give an assist in a ECh match, the last was Roman Pavlyuchenko against the Czech Republic on the opening day. Veselý (Czechoslovakia), Govedarica (Yugoslavia), Trezeguet (France), Hélder Postiga (Portugal, also vs England – Euro 2004), Fábregas (Spain), Robben (Netherlands) and Van Persie (Netherlands) were the others.
> Theo Walcott’s goal was England’s first at a major tournament (WC/ECh) from outside the box since David Beckham netted a free kick against Ecuador at WC 2006.
> Olof Mellberg (34 years and 286 days) became Sweden’s oldest goal scorer at the ECh. > Mellberg scored his first goal in 20 ECh/WC matches. Only one player needed more: Carles Puyol netted his first goal in his 21st ECh/WC match.
> Glen Johnson’s own goal was England’s second own goal at a major tournament. The first was scored by Jimmy Dickinson at the 1954 World Cup against Belgium (4-4).
> Ashley Cole played his 20th match in a major tournament, equalling the most ever by an English player. David Beckham and Peter Shilton had also played 20 matches in major tournaments.
> Sweden became the second team, after Republic of Ireland, to be eliminated for the knock-out phases at Euro 2012.
However, the substitution of James Milner for Walcott changed the game. The Arsenal winger lashed in a 64th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2 and then provided the run and pass which set up Welbeck’s winner.
“It’s always nice to come off the bench and show what you can do,” said Walcott.
“We felt from first game (1-1 draw with France) we wanted to pick things up and to get three goals is terrific.”
Welbeck was delighted more for the team than himself.
“It was a typical game of two-halves but we always had the belief. There’s a great spirit about this squad.”
England’s first ever competitive victory over the Swedes means they will qualify for the quarter-finals with only a point in their final group game against co-hosts Ukraine in Donetsk next Tuesday.
However, Hodgson will want to see a marked improvement from his side if they are to secure the draw they need after a performance littered with errors and shaky defending.
England had started positively, Scott Parker forcing a fine save out of Andreas Isaksson after only seven minutes with a fine swerving effort from 20 yards that the Swedish keeper parried to safety.
Sweden meanwhile had to wait until 20 minutes before threatening the England goal, captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic letting fly with a long range shot that was blocked comfortably by Joe Hart.
For a while it looked as if England’s familiar failings of conceding possession too cheaply and poor delivery would be costly.
Captain Steven Gerrard had clearly seen enough on 23 minutes.
Seizing possession in midfield the England skipper looked up to curl in a pinpoint long-range diagonal ball which the twisting Carroll met with a thunderous header that gave Isaksson no chance.
Sweden were forced to look for openings on the break and threatened to score when Ibrahimovic dispossessed the careless Johnson and played in Kim Kallstrom whose shot flew over.
England’s positive first half display came unstuck, however, within five minutes of the restart as a rejuvenated Sweden dominated play.
The equaliser came after an Ibrahimovic free-kick bounced back off the wall and was played back to an unmarked Mellberg being played onside by Johnson.
The bearded centre-half’s shot beat Hart and Johnson was unable to scramble out of his own net. Mellberg claimed it, but the equaliser was ruled an own-goal by Johnson.
England were rocking and it got worse for Hodgson‘s men on 59 minutes as Sweden went 2-1 up. Sebastian Larsson swung in a curling free-kick and shambolic defending in the England defence allowed Mellberg to nod home Sweden’s second.
Milner, who had capped a poor evening by conceding the free-kick which led to Sweden’s second, was then promptly hauled off for Walcott.
The Arsenal winger made an immediate impact and within minutes England were level, Walcott’s shot from just outside the area catching Isaksson off-balance to make it 2-2.
Sweden continued to cause England problems on the break and Ibrahimovic forced Hart to dive at full-stretch to turn around a 76th-minute effort.
But two minutes later Walcott rescued England again, darting into the box with an electrifying burst to cross for Welbeck, who flicked in a deft finish with the back of his heel to make it 3-2.
