Sweden showed a ruthless streak as they defeated Northern Ireland in the Strawberry Arena tonight.
Northern Ireland created several chances in an international challenge match in Stockholm, but Sweden showed greater efficiency in converting the opportunities that came their way.
Senior men’s team manager Michael O’Neill expected Sweden to put on a show in front of their fans after they lost 1-0 away to Luxembourg in a friendly on Saturday night – and they did just that as they won 5-1.
The first decent chance of the game came on four minutes when Northern Ireland captain Shea Charles delivered a corner to the back post. It was met by Ruairi McConville, who headed the ball into the side netting. Prior to that Justin Devenny’s speculative shot was comfortably gathered in by Sweden keeper Viktor Johansson.
Sweden, who like Northern Ireland had a strong UEFA Nations League C campaign back in the autumn, went ahead in the seventh minute. Alexander Isak stretched the Northern Ireland defence before slipping the ball to Emil Holm at the back post and he smashed it past Pierce Charles.
Isak had his first effort on goal on 13 minutes. He fired the ball over the bar from 20-plus yards.
In the 21st minute Isaac Price drifted in from the left flank and fired in a low shot from distance, however it was gathered in by Johansson.
A minute later Devenny and Brodie Spencer combined superbly down the left and Spencer’s curling shot went inches past the far post.
Shea Charles almost got on the end of a long ball from his brother but the Swedish keeper just managed to get to the ball on time and head it clear.
Sweden extended their lead on 33 minutes. Sema slipped in Gabriel Gudmundsson behind the Northern Ireland defence. His low cross was pushed out by Pierce Charles but Benjamin Nygren was on hand to tuck home the rebound.
Shea Charles tested Johansson with a stinging low shot and then George Saville let fly, forcing the keeper into an excellent fingertip save as the ball appeared destined for the top corner.
Donley and Shea Charles combined well down the left before Charles had his shot blocked.
Charles then delivered another excellent cross to the back post where McConville headed the ball over the bar.
At the start of the second half Pierce Charles produced a superb stop from a rasping Nygren shot. Isak put the rebound into the side netting.
Shea Charles swept a free-kick inches over the top as Northern Ireland looked to claw their way back into the game.
Sweden extended their lead on 58 minutes through Ken Sema. A shot from Nygren struck the post and Sema slammed the rebound into the back of the net.
Isak made it four on 64 minutes with a stunning strike. He picked up a loose ball and strode towards goal before blasting the ball into the corner of the net from just outside the area.
Donley’s low shot drifted wide of the post as Northern Ireland continued to push.
On 76 minutes Sweden went five up when two substitutes combined to devastating effect.
Niclas Eliasson found Anthony Elanga at the back post, after he had slipped in behind the Northern Ireland defence, and he had a simple tap-in.
Northern Ireland substitute Paul Smyth whipped a cross into the six-yard box but fellow sub Callum Marshall failed to connect with it properly.
After showing some sublime skills, Isak teed up substitute Jesper Karlstrom and he hammered the ball against the woodwork.
Northern Ireland pulled a goal back in the 90th minute, with Isaac Price finding the net with a deflected shot.
Sweden: Viktor Johansson, Emil Holm, Ken Sema, Isak Hien, Victor Lindelof (captain), Gabriel Gudmundsson, Yasin Ayari, Anton Saletros, Alexander Isak, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Nanasi.
Substitutes: (used) Anthony Elanga, Niclas Eliasson, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Besfort Zeneli, Jesper Karlstrom; (unused) Robin Olsen (GK), Oliver Dovin (GK), Hjalmar Ekdal, Samuel Dahl, Melker Widell, Carl Starfelt, Gustaf Nilsson,
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Terry Devlin, Brodie Spencer, Ruairi McConville, Paddy McNair, Ciaron Brown, Shea Charles (captain), George Saville, Jamie Donley, Isaac Price, Justin Devenny.
Substitutes: (used) Jordan Thompson, Callum Marshall, Paul Smyth, Lee Bonis, Brad Lyons; (unused) Conor Hazard, Luke Southwood, Aaron Donnelly, Dale Taylor, Ronan Hale, Ross McCausland, Kofi Balmer.
Action from Strawberry Arena
