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THE HIGH FLYERS

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Sweden took on Ukraine in the final round of 16 clash before the quarters. Ukraine shocked Sweden as they grabbed a 2-1 victory after 120 minutes of exhausting football. They set up a meet with England in the quarter-finals. It was an entertaining affair as both sides had a go at each other. It was constant end-to-end football with both sides hitting the bar and both ‘keepers producing top saves.

Sweden came into the tournament without their star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They were expected to finish behind a solid Spain team and progress to the knockouts. The Scandinavian side had nerves of steel as they held Spain to a 0-0 in their opener. They followed it up with two convincing wins over Slovakia and Poland to finish as the unexpected toppers of Group-E. They were dreaming of having a legendary run like their class of 92.

Ukraine meanwhile are lucky to sneak into the knockouts. They won a single game in their group stage against minnows North Macedonia. Those three points were enough to clinch a knockout berth. They came into this clash as underdogs and hoped to take something away from it.

The game had an electric start right from the beginning. Both sides were attacking throughout the game. Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko opened the scoring from Yarmelenko’s cross for Ukraine. Sweden’s influential winger Emil Forsberg scored late in the first half to square the game. The second half ended level despite all those fireworks in front of the goal.

A red card to Swedish centre-half Marcus Danielsson changed the dynamic of the game. Though Ukraine weren’t able to dominate the game as such. But they did go on to win the game in the 120th minute as Artem Dobvyk headed them into the quarters to meet England.

We at FootTheBall bring you the best and worst players whose stock has gone up and down respectively from the round of 16 clash between Sweden and Ukraine.

STOCK-UP

EMIL FORSBERG

In the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sweden needed a senior figure to take care of goal scoring. RB Leipzig’s winger Forsberg stepped up and took charge. The versatile winger plays as a wide midfielder for his national side. It is from that position he runs the games. Forsberg had 3 goals to his name already and wanted to add to it tonight.

Forsberg made his intentions known early in the game as drifted in-field and played defence breaking passes. The Swede also tried shooting from outside the box. He was a constant threat to the Ukrainian defence. He found luck last in the first half as a shot from outside the box took a huge deflection off Zabarnyi and trickled into the net. Forsberg was even in a greater mood in the second half as he was everywhere. He hit the post twice and was unfortunate for not getting a goal.

Forsberg scored four goals at the Euros and has scored in three consecutive games for his national team for the first time. Big game player eh? Forsberg was powerless to stop Ukraine from scoring late in the game and knock his Sweden side out.

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO

The Manchester City left-back told that he was heartbroken following their loss to Chelsea in the Champions League final. He also reiterated how badly he missed the Ukrain national team. He knew that his national team could revive his morale easily. Zinchenko’s versatility meant he was deployed in a variety of positions.

After securing their knockout spot, Zinchenko was determined to lead them deeper into the tournament. Deployed as a left wing-back he ran endlessly between attack and defence. He made a darting run into the Swedish box to get on the end of Yarmolenko’s cross. A firm half-volley squirmed through Robin Olsen’s hands to give them the lead.

Zinchenko was then defending for his life as they tried to deny the Swedes. Zinchenko also made some darting runs again. He again made a match-winning contribution as he found Dobvyk with an inch-perfect cross from the left.

STOCK-DOWN

ALEXANDER ISAK

Coming into the Euros on the back of a successful league campaign Isak was expected to boom. The towering youngster had 17 goals for Real Sociedad. He was expected to repeat the goalscoring heroics of La Liga.

Instead, the Swedish man found it difficult to get going at the tournament. In the first game against Spain, Isak had a glorious chance to put them ahead. He missed it and it was thought that the youngster would come back stronger. In the next games as well Isak wasn’t able to influence them.

Isak despite having a shot earlier today wasn’t able to hit the stride. He linked up with Forsberg and Kulusevski to no success. Though to show for his efforts he got an assist which was a simple square pass. Isak has to learn that international tournaments won’t give many chances as he was subbed in the 94th minute.

ROMAN YAREMCHUK

The Ukrainian striker who plays for the Belgian side, KAA Gent. The 25-year-old scored 20 goals in the league this season and worthily partnered with Yarmolenko as a number nine.

Yaremchuk scored and assisted one in their group opener against the Netherlands. He again registered a goal in the second game against Macedonia. Yaremchuk had a quiet game this time. He wasn’t able to make effective runs. He wasn’t able to get himself involved in the game. Yaremchuk’s passing was also off the radar and hurt their chances. He was taken off after 90 minutes in search of fresh legs.

Yarmolenko was more than livelier than ever to make up for Yaremchuk’s doggedness. The West Ham United winger made runs short, wide, and everywhere to link up play for the Ukrainians.

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