Belgium cemented their place in the knockouts of Euro 2016 as a thunderous Radja Nainggolan strike late in the game helped them clinch a 1-0 victory over Sweden in Nice.
Marc Wilmots’ side will face Hungary in the Round of 16, while Sweden are heading home after picking up a solitary point from their three games.
Here are the 5 talking points from the encounter:
#1 Sweden’s first shot on target in the tournament stings Courtois’ gloves
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Sweden had failed to muster even a single shot on target in the tournament prior to this game – the only goal they scored was an own goal from Irishman Ciaran Clark. To qualify, they needed a win, and to win they had to test Thibaut Courtois. They did exactly that early in the first half. Following a scramble from a Sweden free-kick, Marcus Berg found himself in a one-on-one position with Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois.
He absolutely smashed the ball with his laces, but Courtois somehow kept it out with a magnificent save. A reprieve for Belgium, a massive opportunity lost for the Swedes.
#2 Kevin de Bruyne keeps creating, his teammates keep missing
Just like in their 3-0 victory over the Irish a few days ago, playmaker Kevin de Bruyne took centre-stage once again. The £55m Manchester City man’s vision to pick out a teammate with a defence-opening pass and his expertise on the dead ball were on show against the Swedes in Nice.
However, his team-mates – Romelu Lukaku in particular – were unable to take advantage of De Bruyne’s adroit display in the attacking third. Lukaku failed to benefit from a De Bruyne pass on numerous instances - most notably in the 73rd minute, when he was released by the playmaker and was through on goal, but couldn’t get the better of the goalkeeper.
De Bruyne came close to scoring himself on two occasions, both of which were dealt with impressively by the goalkeeper.
His chance creation rate is head and shoulders above most players in similar positions, and Belgium have to look for ways to exploit de Bruyne’s special talent and convert these chances into goals.
#3 Ibrahimovic frustrated in his international swansong
Sweden’s footballing icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic had announced that he would be retiring from international duty post the Euros prior to the game. Thus, this game was the perfect opportunity for the 34-year old to put in an inspirational performance in a must-win game for his nation. Unfortunately, it turned out to be his farewell game on the international arena as he was kept at bay by a solid Belgian defence.
Most of the shots he took were blocked, and the ones which he was able to get away were either routine saves for Courtois or were off target. The only real chance he could eke out was in the 85th minute, when he chested down a cross and turned to shoot, but missed his target. It may not have been the exit he was hoping for, but with 62 goals in 115 appearances, he leaves a Swedish legend, forever embedded in his nation’s footballing history.
#4 Belgium punishing on the counter-attack once again
They did it twice in the victory against the Irish. They managed to do it to perfection once again to win it against the Swedish – although this did come later than expected. The Belgian team’s ability to punish teams on the break has helped them make it out of a reasonably tough group.
A Swedish corner was cleared to safety by the Belgian defence and the resulting break was led by Eden Hazard, who was haring towards the byline. His floated cross was controlled by Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who unleashed a powerful strike into the far corner past the hapless goalkeeper.
It serves Marc Wilmots’ side very well indeed if they can continue to catch teams on the counter-attack and finish off those moves.
#5 Should Dries Mertens start for the Belgians?
One surprising regular on the bench has been midfielder Dries Mertens, who is yet to start a game for the Red Devils. He replaced Carrasco after 71 minutes to introduce some fresh legs to a pedestrian Belgian attack in the second half. He made a few impressive approaches from the left and passed the ball around with the purpose to get Belgium up and running again.
He even found the space to get a shot at goal, which was saved by Isaksson. Mertens’ promising performance on the wing gives Wilmots a selection headache between him and Carrasco in the build up to his side’s Round of 16 clash against Hungary on Sunday.
