Ibrahimovic Bids Farewell as Sweden Knocked Out of #Euro2016

Radja Nainggolan’s late strike gave Belgium a 1-0 win over Sweden

Nainggolan’s late strike helped Belgium qualify for last 16. (Photo: AP)

Belgium went through to the last-16 at Euro 2016 on Wednesday when Radja Nainggolan’s late strike gave them a 1-0 win over Sweden. With this defeat, Sweden’s Euro 2016 campaign has come to an end. They scored only once in three games.

It also meant the end of forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s international career, who had announced on the eve of the match that he would stop playing for his country once the tournament was over.

Apart from a disallowed goal by Ibrahimovic in the 63rd minute, Sweden never looked to threaten the Belgian goal. Their hopes of qualifying ended when Nainggolan scored with a majestic strike from outside the box in the 84th minute.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (Photo: AP)

Belgium finished second in Group E with six points, behind winners Italy, and will face Hungary in their last-16 match, while Sweden finished bottom with one point. Ireland finished with four points and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, by beating Italy 1-0.