Nainggolan stunner sends Sweden, Zlatan packing

Radja Nainggolan scored a late goal to give Belgium a 1-0 win versus Sweden to send Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s team home from Euro 2016 and secure second spot for Marc Wilmots’ team in Group E.

Both teams had quality chances throughout a scoreless first half. A lively Kevin De Bruyne found Romelu Lukaku in the sixth minute, but the Everton striker’s shot was blocked away to safety.

Knowing nothing but a win would do, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden pushed players forward to decent effect in the first 45 minutes. Ibra’s cheeky effort at a volley from 10 yards out was blocked by the Belgian defence in the 22nd minute.

The Swedish talisman was at it again minutes later, with a well-struck shot from distance blazing just wide of Thibaut Courtois’ goal.

Eden Hazard continued to help keep Belgium threatening in the attack, with the Chelsea man finding De Bruyne for a shot from distance that was gathered up by Andreas Isaksson.

Ibra found Markus Berg in the Belgium penalty area in the 53rd minute, but Berg’s wayward first touch cost him a chance to shoot. Berg recollected the ball and passed to Albin Ekdal, whose first-time shot was on target but easily handled by Courtois.

Sweden thought they had their first in the 63rd minute, but Berg had been whistled for a dangerous play before the ball found its way into the net.

De Bruyne chipped nicely to Lukaku in the 64th minute, but the big Belgian could not get his volleyed attempt on target from eight yards.

A Sweden giveaway at midfield led to another chance for De Bruyne a minute later, but the Man City midfielder’s well-struck line drive was saved by Isaksson.

De Bruyne then played Lukaku in on goal with a pinpoint through ball giving the striker a clear path to the Sweden goal, but Isaksson again saved from a deft outside-of-the-foot effort.

In the 75th minute, Ibrahimovic had a golden chance from a free kick, but a well-hit dipping shot from 25 yards out was blocked away by Courtois.

Lukaku collected the ball at the top of the penalty area in the 79th minute and quickly turned to his left to shoot only to see the ball sail over the crossbar.

With Sweden chasing a goal, Belgium again got free on a counter-attack once again, and this time Nainggolan made no doubt about it. The Roma player received the ball from Hazard and lashed a powerful shot that took a kind deflection to beat Isakson.

Sweden failed to score a goal and finished last in their group as Ibrahimovic’s international career comes to an end.

Belgium will face Group F winner Hungary in the round of 16 on June 26 in Toulouse.

Report by ESPN FC/soccernet.com