Ibrahimovic helps Sweden rescue 1-1 draw with Ireland

Martin O’Neill’s side dominated the first-half as they attacked Isaac Isaksson’s goal with Derby County’s Jeff Hendrick one of Ireland’s most risky attacking threats, hitting the cross bar in the opening period.

Ireland will need to pick up points if they are to progress to the knock out stages, with themselves and Sweden now tied on a point a piece.

O’Neill showered praise on the Irish fans as well as his players, admitting they kept the team going through periods of the 90 minutes.

“We have desire, we have a never-say-die spirit, but I thought they looked accomplished and I think that’s players growing into worldwide football, which helps”.

“In the first half we were excellent and at the start of the second as well”.

“You didn’t have to say too much at half-time to the players”. He simply did not fit into Trapattoni’s blueprint, but given his head by O’Neill, he demonstrated not only his creativity, but his finishing ability with a goal of genuine quality to give the Republic the lead.

Ireland lost their lead at the 71st minute with an unfortunate own goal from Ciarán Clarke, the first own goal scored in the Euros since England’s Glen Johnson put the ball in his own net in 2012, also playing against Sweden.

“We were quite dominant for a lot of the game and had a lot chances, but we didn’t get three points”.

Sweden, eager to bounce back after a dismal showing at the previous European championship four years ago, did play better in the last 30 minutes but still failed to thrill their coach.

The oddity is that the negative moment for Ireland came after their most positive moment: Hoolahan’s goal.

Just as Ireland looked to have steadied the ship though, Zlatan was the central player in dragging Erik Hamren’s side level after what was their slickest piece of play in the match with 20 minutes remaining.

O’Neill’s side suddenly stopped doing everything that had got them into a winning position, and allowed Ibrahimovic – as well as Martin Olsson and Emil Forsberg – to get into more risky positions.

Wes Hoolahan had fired Martin O’Neill’s side ahead at the Stade de France but the Boys In Green could not hang on for all three points.

‘But we fight it through and have two very tough matches against teams that are pretty classy, but if I can take away anything it was that the players felt and looked accomplished.

Can Zlatan Ibrahimovic magically make defenders score own goals? Brady, pushing on from left back, linked well with Jeff Hendrick on the left side of midfield-perhaps not surprisingly given they first played together for St Kevin’s Boys when they were 6 years old.