It was a pressed Swedish national team that stepped out onto the autumn grass in Estonia ahead of the important EC qualifying match on Saturday evening. After group favorites Belgium defeated Azerbaijan earlier in the day, Janne Andersson’s national team were whipped to beat Estonia to keep the dream of a championship next summer alive.
And it couldn’t have started better.
Isak broke a long goal drought
Already after 18 minutes, the in-form Viktor Gyökeres found the right and sent in 1-0 to Sweden. About five minutes later it was time again. Dejan Kulusevski turned away his defender in a delicious way and put in 2-0.
Alexander Isak headed in 3–0 at the end of the first half and thus broke an eleven-game goal drought in the blue and yellow shirt.
Sweden continued to press in the second half. The Swedes created several dangerous situations, but Estonia was able to keep the numbers down. At least for half an hour.
Three important points before the match against Austria
Because when the clock ticked over 75 match minutes, the nets rattled again. Substitute Robin Quaison scored the fourth goal of the match and just before the referee blew the whistle for the last time, Viktor Claesson had made it 5-0.
– We could have won by much more today. It was extra nice that we got a good performance, says goalscorer Alexander Isak in Viaplay’s broadcast after the victory.
The win means that Sweden climbs to six recorded points in the group, four points behind Austria, the national team that currently occupies second place which means the European Championship play-offs in Germany.
Sweden and Austria meet on Tuesday 20.45.
Read more about the 5–0 victory and European Championship qualification at The soccer channel.