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One against eleven: Inspired Ireland denied by hero Ibrahimovic

The Sweden captain found just enough space to make a second-half impact and deny the Boys in Green a first win in Group E

COMMENT

It tells you something about the threat Sweden carried that Ireland centre back Ciaran Clark was their most dangerous player during this opening Euro 2016 Group E draw. The Aston Villa man forced his own goalkeeper Darren Randolph into a sensational save before netting the own goal that gave the Swedes their undeserved share of the points. No Swede had a shot on target.

That the goal was provoked by Sweden's only gifted player - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - was perhaps inevitable but his influence up to that point was negligible.