Villa breaks Swedish hearts

A stoppage-time goal from David Villa has lifted an unconvincing Spain to a 2-1 victory over Sweden this afternoon in Innsbruck.

Despite performing well below expectations after impressing against Russia, the Spaniards sealed passage to the final eight thanks to Villa, while the unfortunate Swedes now face a must-win game against Russia.

Fernando Torres fired Spain ahead on the quarter-hour, only for his goal to be cancelled out 20 minutes later by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But with the game seemingly petering out, Villa took full advantage of a slight lapse in concentration in the Swedish defence to steal all three points.

Spain's manager Luis Aragones will have cause for concern, however, as for much of the game, the Spaniards failed to find their best form, as evidenced in their opening game against Russia.

Aragones sent out an unchanged line-up, whilst Swedish boss Lars Lagerback replaced Niclas Alexandersson with Fredrik Stoor at right-back, and Johan Elmander came in for Christian Wilhelmsson.

The game began as expected, with the well-organised Swedes prepared to sit back and allow Spain possession. But after a quiet opening 15 minutes, the deadlock was broken by the predatory instincts of Fernando Torres.

A short-corner routine found Silva on the edge of the penalty area. His neat chip was met by Torres, whose outstretched boot diverted the ball beyond the helpless Isaksson.

Sweden's response was immediate, as Henrik Larsson released Elmander after clever footwork, but his shot could only hit the side-netting.

Spain were forced into an early substitution, with Raul Albiol replacing the injured Carles Puyol in the centre of defence, and he never really looked comfortable as Sweden pressed on for an equaliser.

It finally came on 34 minutes, as Stoor picked out Ibrahimovic in the area from a centering ball from deep. After digging the ball out from under his feet and fending off the attentions of Sergio Ramos, his low shot squirmed in under Iker Casillas' left hand.

The goal was a just reward for Sweden's enterprising play, as Spain's sloppiness came back to haunt them.

Spain reclaimed the initiative after being stung into action by the goal, and they should have had a penalty in first half injury-time.

After a cross came into the penalty area, Elmander appeared to clumsily barge into the back of David Silva, but the Dutch referee Peter Vink waved play on. At the half time whistle, the Spanish players surrounded Vink, to voice their complaints, but the sides went in level at the interval.

The second half was punctuated by few chances, as the Swedes retreated into their shell. Much of the play took place in the middle third of the pitch, as Spain struggled to find any significant rhythm.

Sweden also withdrew Ibrahimovic at half-time due to a knee complaint, further signalling intentions to play on the break.

Spain's best chance of restoring its lead came just after the hour, as the ball somehow stayed out of the Swedish net after a goalmouth scramble.

First, Silva had his effort saved down low by Isaksson, then Villa's follow-up was blocked, and somehow Daniel Andersson was able to scurry across to clear Torres' effort off the line and out for a corner.

The Swedes were desperate in defence, with centre-backs Olof Mellberg and Petter Hansson performing well and largely keeping Villa and Torres in check.

After another lull in play, Sweden conjured up a chance in a rare venture forward with ten minutes on the clock. Hansson found space in behind Ramos and latched on to a deep free kick from Anders Svensson, but his square ball across the six-yard box only just eluded Henrik Larsson when only a touch was needed.

With time running out, Torres hit a shot in anger that was comfortably claimed by Isaksson, but Sweden's hearts were broken in the second minute of stoppage-time by Villa.

Villa chased down a speculative long ball down the left by Joan Capdevila, and after cutting inside Hansson a little too easily, he calmly slotted the ball inside Isaksson's far post.

All the Spanish players, including the goalkeeper Casillas, converged on Villa, as they knew that they'd gotten out of jail and undeservedly snatched all three points.

Spain will now progress as Group D winners, avoiding the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, whilst Sweden have it all to play for against Russia on in Innsbruck on June 18.


Ratings

Sweden
1 - Isaksson - 7 - Kept well overall, little he could do about goals.
2 - Nilsson - 6 - Not bad.
3 - Mellberg - 8 - Marshalled his defence well.
4 - Hansson - 7 - Crucial slip at the end, otherwise solid.
5 - Stoor - 6 - Got forward well early on, defensively shaky.
8 - Svensson - 6 - Peripheral.
9 - Ljungberg - 6 - In and out.
10 - Ibrahimovic - 7 - A constant threat before going off early.
11 - Elmander - 5 - Wasteful.
17 - H. Larsson - 7 - Always buzzing around.
19 - Andersson - 7 - Screened his back four well.

(SUB) 16 - Kallstrom - 6 - No time.
(SUB) 18 - S. Larsson - 6 - Not enough time.
(SUB) 22 - Rosenberg - 6 - Couldn't get into the game.

Spain
1 - Casillas - 6 - Little to do, but might've done better with goal.
4 - Marchena - 6 - Assured for the most part.
5 - Puyol - 6 - Off early.
6 - Iniesta - 6 - Peripheral.
7 - Villa - 8 - A constant threat around the box.
8 - Xavi - 6 - No significant impact.
9 - Torres - 7 - Always dangerous.
11 - Capdevila - 6 - Not really in the game.
15 - Sergio Ramos - 6 - Looked extremely shaky in defence.
19 - Senna - 7 - Battled well in midfield.
21 - D. Silva - 7 - Worked hard.

(SUB) 2 - Albiol - 5 - Never looked comfortable.
(SUB) 10 - Fabregas - 6 - Struggled to get into the game.
(SUB) 12 - Cazorla - 6 - Not much impact.