France 0-2 Sweden

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 19 June 2012

France miss out on the chance to top Group D after losing 2-0 to already-eliminated Sweden in Warsaw, but do progress as runners-up to face defending champions Spain in the quarter-finals.

France have qualified for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in Warsaw tonight.

Laurent Blanc's side progress as Group D runners-up after England's 1-0 victory over the Ukraine saw them top the group.

Les Bleus started sluggishly and allowed Sebastian Larsson and Ola Toivenen early attempts on goal, but the Swedish pair both sent their headed efforts off target.

Toivenen, a reported target for several Premier League clubs, came even closer later in the opening period but was denied by the post after he rounded keeper Hugo Lloris.

After being limited to long-range efforts in the first half, France started the second more brightly as Karim Benzema narrowly sent a shot wide of the post.

Having said that, it was the Swedes who broke the deadlock courtesy of a fine individual goal from captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The AC Milan striker acrobatically volleyed home following a precise cross from Sunderland winger Larsson.

Olof Mellberg, a goalscorer against England on Friday, came close to doubling the score but his bullet header was saved well by Lloris.

France pushed for an equaliser as firstly Yann M'Vila and then Jermey Menez tested Sweden stopper Andreas Isaakson.

Soon-to-be Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud sent a six-yard header wide late on before Larsson wrapped up the result for Sweden by finely converting the rebound after Christian Wilhelmsson's effort had struck the bar.

France will face defending champions Spain in the last eight on Saturday.