Ibrahimovic Scores Twice in Swedish Win Over Estonia
Two goals by Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed Sweden a 2-0 win over Estonia in a friendly football match on Thursday evening in Stockholm.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring already on the third minute, shooting low beneath the Estonian goal keeper. The Estonian team protested saying the ball did not cross the line and video replays, not available to referees failed to answer the question.
The striker's second goal of the match, and 50th goal for Sweden from 99 games, came on the 24th minute, with a Ibrahimovic trademark back heel past the goalkeeper.
Estonia fought hard and created many chances, even controlling the game for periods against a team 64 places higher in the FIFA rankings.
Estonia will face Slovenia in Tallinn on Monday as the first game of the Euro 2016 qualifying tournament.
Estonia is in group E for the qualifiers, and will face England (October 12 home, October 9, 2015 away), Lithuania (September 5, 2015 home, October 9 away), San Marino (June 14, 2015 home, November 15 away), Slovenia (Monday home, September 8, 2015 away) and Switzerland (October 12, 2015 home, March 27, 2015 away).
Estonia was very close to qualifying for the previous tournament in 2012, reaching a playoff. The format of the tournament has changed with more teams qualifying. Hopes are high, although the team is ranked 93rd in the world, behind Switzerland (ninth), England (20) and Slovenia (39), but higher than Lithuania (103) and San Marino (208).