MX23RW : Friday, February 7 23:29:51| >> :600:2614189:2614189:

France 0-2 Sweden

France 0-2 Sweden
© PA Photos
France miss out on the chance to top Group D after losing 2-0 to already-eliminated Sweden in Warsaw, but do progress as runners-up to face defending champions Spain in the quarter-finals.

France have qualified for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in Warsaw tonight.

Laurent Blanc's side progress as Group D runners-up after England's 1-0 victory over the Ukraine saw them top the group.

Les Bleus started sluggishly and allowed Sebastian Larsson and Ola Toivenen early attempts on goal, but the Swedish pair both sent their headed efforts off target.

Toivenen, a reported target for several Premier League clubs, came even closer later in the opening period but was denied by the post after he rounded keeper Hugo Lloris.

After being limited to long-range efforts in the first half, France started the second more brightly as Karim Benzema narrowly sent a shot wide of the post.

Having said that, it was the Swedes who broke the deadlock courtesy of a fine individual goal from captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The AC Milan striker acrobatically volleyed home following a precise cross from Sunderland winger Larsson.

Olof Mellberg, a goalscorer against England on Friday, came close to doubling the score but his bullet header was saved well by Lloris.

France pushed for an equaliser as firstly Yann M'Vila and then Jermey Menez tested Sweden stopper Andreas Isaakson.

Soon-to-be Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud sent a six-yard header wide late on before Larsson wrapped up the result for Sweden by finely converting the rebound after Christian Wilhelmsson's effort had struck the bar.

France will face defending champions Spain in the last eight on Saturday.

ID:31492: cacheID:31492:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3599:
Written by
Joe Fish
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Laurent Blanc
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: France 0-0 Sweden
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brentford24103114342133
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton248973539-433
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!