What they said: Sweden vs Belgium

Sport360 staff 05:17 23/06/2016
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  • Legend: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Belgium beat Sweden 1-0 in the Stade de Nice on Wednesday night to book their place in the Last 16 of Euro 2016, but in the process called time on the international career of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Sweden exited the tournament.

    Despite the Red Devils win and progression in the competition, most of the post-game reaction focused on the retiring Swede’s contribution at this level.

    Sport360 rounds-up the best of the post-game reaction:

    Marc Wilmots, Belgium head coach

    “They had to open up, so that’s why we defended a bit deeper. We stuck to our plan. Both teams attacked and tactically we were better on the counter. It must have been a difficult watch for people with heart problems.

    “I said bravo to Zlatan Ibrahimović for his career. I was a player myself and know how difficult it is when you finish with the national team. You have to be careful with him because he is very intelligent. Sometimes he drops deep and is then one on one against a central defender.

    “They were obliged to open up and if you do that against us you will be punished. Six points from nine is very positive and since the defeat by Italy we have been very good.”

    Erik Hamren, Sweden head coach

    “We were talking before the game about the honour of representing Sweden and of being here, but I couldn’t have asked for much more from my players. I’m proud of them, even though we lost.

    “We had some chances and then Belgium scored at the end. Our last couple of games weren’t too bad, but unfortunately we couldn’t take our opportunities.

    “I hoped Zlatan would have had a better finish. The same goes for [Andreas] Isaksson and [Kim] Källström, who have been very good for a long time and who are also ending their Sweden careers.

    “Unearthing a new Zlatan? No, he is special, he is unique. I don’t think that in a small country like Sweden you will find another player like him.”

    Eden Hazard, Belgium winger

    “Zlatan Ibrahimović has done a lot of great things in his career and would have wanted to go further here. Our objective was to qualify, but unfortunately he is now eliminated. He will remain a great player and still has a lot to offer at club level.

    “It was a difficult match, complicated for our defenders. In the first half we had some possession and created chances. Nainggolan scored an important goal and from then on we had to manage the game.”

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