MX23RW : Monday, November 25 07:51:55| >> :600:233414:233414:

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:
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
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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!