PETERSBURG, Russia – Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s successor in Sweden’s national team changed the game even without scoring the goal at the Euro 2020.
Alexander Isak’s second-half performance illuminated a hitherto tough-to-watch match against Slovakia that was heading for a goalless draw until the highly rated 21-year-old striker produced a deft flick over the top of the defense.
Substitute Robin Quaison ran onto the ball and was brought down by the goalkeeper. Emil Forsberg converted the penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 victory Friday and, quite possibly, a place in the round of 16 at the European Championship.
Isak, the son of Eritrean parents who moved to Stockholm in the 1980s because of the long civil war in eastern Africa, also came close on two other occasions during a second half that was a huge step-up from the first.
Yet it was more the way he almost single-handedly turned things Sweden´s way that was so impressive for a young player who is in his first major tournament after a breakthrough season at Spanish club Real Sociedad. There, he is nicknamed “The Swedish Messiah.”
“Sometimes AIexander had to do things all on his own,” Sweden coach Janne Andersson said.
Like a mazy, crowd-pleasing dribble soon after halftime that began just inside his own half, saw him drift to the left while beating two Slovakia players, then cut in for a shot that was turned aside by Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Like the way he rose minutes later to meet a right-wing cross with a header that just cleared the crossbar.
And like the way he darted in front of his marker to flick that delicate pass which led to the penalty. Dubravka got the slightest touch on Quaison’s leg as the striker attempted to go around the keeper and it was enough to get the whistle.
Tall and blessed with great technical ability, the comparisons between Isak and Ibrahimovic – Sweden´s greatest ever player – are understandable, if perhaps a little premature.
“Don´t think there´s much doubt that Alexander Isak will attract a lot of attention from clubs across Europe,” former England captain Gary Lineker posted on Twitter after the match. “Exceptional talent.”
Croatia, Czech Republic draw 1-1
Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick scored from the penalty spot for his tournament-leading third goal in a 1-1 draw against Croatia.
Schick was awarded the penalty after being elbowed in the face by Croatia defender Dejan Lovren while both challenged for the ball in the air. The referee awarded the spot kick after a video review and gave a yellow card to Lovren. Schick sent his penalty into the left corner of the net in the 37th minute.
Ivan Perisi´c then made sure to keep Croatia alive at the tournament. Andrej Kramari´c won the ball in midfield and released Perisi´c, who skipped past right back Vladimír Coufal and volleyed past Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomás Vaclík.
Both teams still have a chance to advance to the round of 16 from their final Group D matches on Tuesday. The Croats will next face Scotland at Hampden Park, while the Czechs will play England at Wembley Stadium.
Scotland holds England
Not even with the Premier League´s top scorer could England find a way past Scotland. Harry Kane never came close to scoring in the 0-0 draw between the two teams at the European Championship.
The England captain looked as exhausted at Wembley Stadium while Scotland earned the point it need to still have a chance of advancement to the round of 16 at Euro 2020.
Both teams had chances to score on a rainy night in London.
England defender John Stones hit the post with a header in the 11th minute, and Scotland forward Lyndon Dykes had a shot cleared off the line by Reece James in the 63rd.
For England, qualification for the round of 16 isn´t in serious jeopardy with the top two teams from each of the six groups guaranteed of advancing, along with the four best third-place teams.
England has four points in Group D, the same as the Czech Republic. The Czechs will be the next visitors to Wembley on Tuesday, while Scotland will face Croatia.
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