Highlights: Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace gives Sweden 3-1 victory over Montenegro in Euro qualifier

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice before half-time in Sweden’s 3-1 win over Montenegro

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice in four minutes before half-time in Sweden’s 3-1 win over Montenegro in their Group G Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday night at the Friends Arena in Sweden. The win ensured Sweden remained in second place with 12 points behind Austria.

Sweden opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Ibrahimovic moved to the right flank to combine with Sebastian Larsson whose cross found Marcus Berg in the box. The 28-year-old striker was unmarked and headed home across goal to give Sweden the lead.

Ibrahimovic then scored twice in quick succession to give the Scandinavian team a 3-0 lead at half time. The first goal was him receive the ball at the edge of the box from a throw-in with his back to goal, beat two defenders, cut in and unleash a low strike which went under the goalkeeper.

He then scored his 56th international goal when Larsson fed him with a long ball with Montenegro playing a dangerously high line. The 33-year-old PSG striker chested the ball down as he made a run for goal, took another touch to control it and then scored with a shot that went into the bottom left corner. He even topped it off with a celebration that saw slide on his knees and then do a somersault on the ground.

Montenegro scored a consolation goal when Dejan Damjanovic scored from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. They were awarded the penalty when Stefan Mugosa was fouled in the box and Damjanovic sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.