Saint Petersburg (AFP)

Sweden took a big step towards the round of 16 of the Euro after its success against Slovakia (1-0), Friday in St. Petersburg, thanks to the penalty of Emil Forsberg and the great match of Alexander Isak.

Casually, the Scandinavian selection remains on three eliminations from the group stage, before this edition of the European Championship.

His victory against the "Repre", his first in the competition since that against France (2-0) in 2012, promises to see, finally, the continuation of the tournament.

With four points, Sweden is almost certain to finish in the top two in Group E, or to be drafted among the top four third.

It will approach the last day, against Poland on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, in a position of strength.

For Slovakia, which started the Euro by beating Poland (2-1), the adventure is not over, but it will have to bring something back from its trip to Seville on Wednesday, where Spain awaits it. .

The result may seem hard for the teammates of Marek Hamsik, who dominated the first period.

But Alexander Isak's talent eventually brought them back to earth.

The up-and-coming 21-year-old Real Sociedad striker delivered a stunning performance, to the point where the Swedish fan turn has proclaimed his name twice.

- Isak Show -

There were strikes (46th, 67th, 71st, 82nd), dribbling, and above all, a deep pass that unlocked the game (76th).

The native of Solna launched Robin Quaison who, in the process, was knocked down by the late intervention of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

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The penalty was converted by Emil Forsberg (77th), for his 10th goal in 60 caps.

Hero of the afternoon, Isak ended the meeting with his buttocks on the lawn, visibly tired, after the final whistle.

Following the hurricane from the Baltic, Slovakia did not abdicate, and could have equalized (87th, 90th + 4).

In the clamor of the public, the goalkeeper Dubravka even climbed on the corner of the last chance, which gave nothing, despite a scramble.

The Slovaks demanded a hand from Sebastian Larsson, but the referee did not flinch, before whistling the end of the match, in an outpouring of emotions that contrasted with the very calm early afternoon.

The great sun has diverted the Petersburgers from the stadium, many of them strolling on the banks of the Neva at this time of year.

The two teams did not prove them wrong, as the show was not up to the stakes, at least during the first period.

Less than a minute after the return from the locker room, the promising Alexander Isak, potential successor to the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic, forfeited for a knee injury, sent a first shiver on the Swedish side, with a powerful strike, countered by Skriniar.

The show had started.

© 2021 AFP