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Moldova national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Mar 27, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Sweden national football team

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FT(HT: 0-0)
Ibrahimovic (46', 84' pen.)

Live Commentary: Moldova 0-2 Sweden - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live coverage of the Euro 2016 Group G qualifier between Moldova and Sweden.
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Sweden have maintained their unbeaten start to Euro 2016 qualifying with a 2-0 win against Moldova in Chisinau.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved to be the hero for the away side with two second-half goals, including one from the penalty spot.

Andreas Granqvist was sent off late on for the visitors, but Sweden were able to hold on for their second victory of the campaign.

Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.


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Hello and welcome to coverage of this Group G encounter in Chisinau. Sweden will be hoping to pick up a win as they try to move closer to automatic qualification for next year's finals in France. They meet a Moldova side that have yet to win a game in this qualifying campaign, but the minnows did manage to hold Fabio Capello's Russia to a draw in Moscow last year.

Can Moldova spring a surprise again? Stay with us and find out.


So, let's bring you the team news from the Stadionul Zimbru...

MOLDOVA: Cebanu, Armas, Epureanu, Golovatenco, Racu, Bolohan, Ionita, Gatcan, Andronic, Dedov

SWEDEN: Isaksson, Bengtsson, Granqvist, M. Olsson, E. Johansson, S. Larsson, Ekdal, Kallstrom, Erkan Zengin, Ibrahimovic


As expected, Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic starts for the visitors with Bordeaux's Kiese Thelin likely to partner him in attack. Coach Erik Hamren also includes Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson on the right side of midfield, alongside Kim Kallstrom.

Moldova look to have set up in a bid to frustrate their opponents, and are expected to play five at the back. Midfielder Alexandru Dedov is likely to offer support to sole striker Gheorghe Boghiu.

Sweden have found Moldova a tricky to beat recently. The Scandanavians managed a 2-1 win when the teams last met in a friendly in Abu Dhabi. Moldova were also narrowly beaten in Stockholm during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012.

This could be a must-win game for Erik Hamren's men. They are four points behind first-placed Austria in the standings, but Russia and Montengro are only a point behind Sweden, and those teams meet each other this evening in Podgorica.

However, it appears that Sweden have brought a healthy following across Europe...



The teams heading out on to the pitch at the Stadionul Zimbru and both sets of supporters are in fine voice. After the national anthems, we'll be ready to get underway in Chisinau.

KICKOFF: So, Sweden get us underway in this Group G qualifier as they look to take a step closer to the European Championship finals.

Kim Kallstrom has a good early opportunity to pressurise the Moldova defence from a free kick, but his delivery goes straight out of play for a goal kick. Disappointing!

Moldova appear to be using wing backs to try and press Sweden further up the pitch. However, the visitors are enjoying more of the ball in the early moments.

BOOKING: Granqvist goes into the book for a poor challenge of Dedov. The hosts have an opportunity to apply some pressure of their own.

CHANCE: And they almost find an early goal from through Boghiu, who tests Isaksson from a tight angle. Promising from the minnows.

Larsson is given space to shoot. However, the Sunderland player fails to test Cebanu as his drilled left-foot strike is off-target.

Sweden are getting plenty of possession in the opening 10 minutes, but Moldova are limiting the space available to the visitors around the box. A goal might just settle the Blue-Yellow's down.

Moldova have a corner and Andronic delivers a outswinger to the near post, but the away side are able to clear. The hosts continue to threaten now and again!

Sweden have a corner of their own, which Cebanu struggles to deal with initially following Kallstrom's cross. However, the referee then penalises Johansson for a foul on the Moldovan keeper.

Erik Hamren won't like what he's seeing as Dedov is able to fire off a shot that drifts just wide of Isaksson's post.

CHANCE: Sweden then have their best chance of the opening quarter as Thelin misses the target, when he perhaps should score.

CHANCE: The Swedes look to be finding their rhythm as, within moments of Thelin's miss, Erkan Zengin steps in from the left wing and, on his right foot, brings a flying save out of Cebanu. They're getting closer!

UPDATE: Elsewhere in Group G, the game between Montenegro and Russia has been halted after keeper Igor Akinfeev was struck by a flare. Remember, both sides are only a point behind Sweden in the table.

BOOKING: Ibrahimovic is brought down by Golovatenco and the defender becomes the first Moldovan player to enter the book.

Zengin once again breaks down the left for Sweden, his cross is headed away before Kallstrom's subsequent delivery evades his teammates. Larsson chases down the loose ball, but Moldova are able to see out the danger. The hosts are starting to come under sustained pressure.

Racu concedes a free kick in a dangerous area for his foul on Olsson. Thelin attacks at the near post, but he's unable to guide Kallstrom's set-piece on target.

CHANCE: How have Sweden not taken the lead here? Ibrahimovic's initial shot finds its way to Thelin and the Bordeaux target man's shot is inches away from nestling inside the right-hand post.

MOLDOVA SUB: Moldova are forced into an early substitution, with Ionita having to make way for Cojocari in midfield.

CHANCE: The visitors are definitely finishing the stronger here, with Ibrahimovic heading over the bar from Larsson's cross. Sweden really should be leading this game.

From a throw in, Sweden fail to clear their lines and Dedov picks up the ball on the edge of the area, but Zengin is able to shepherd him away from danger before dispossessing the Moldova playmaker.

Sweden earn another corner and Kallstrom's delivery sends Cebanu scrambling across his goal, but Ibrahimovic is adjudged to have fouled on Boghiu at the back post.

The visitors have dominated much of this first half, but can they finish the opening period with a goal? They're running out of time!

BOOKING:Racu goes into the book after taking an eternity to take a throw-in. Who can blame him? Moldova are clearly playing for the half-time whistle.

Two minutes of stoppage time here in Chisinau.

Sweden pick up a free kick on the edge of the area. Ibrahimovic (who else!) steps up, but strikes his shot against the wall. That must be the last action of the half, surely?

HALF TIME: MOLDOVA 0-0 SWEDEN

Well, Sweden finished the half strongly, but they are unable to break the deadlock against Moldova. In such a tight group, with four teams realistically harbouring hopes of qualifying for next year's European Championships, Erik Hamren's men need to find a way past the home side's resolute rearguard.

Sweden only mustered two shots on target despite having significantly more possession than their opponents. Moldova had an early shot at goal, but otherwise Isaksson was largely untroubled.

Such was Sweden's domination of the ball that they were able to complete 190 passes, compared with Moldova's 59. Can they make that domination count on the scoresheet?

BENCH WATCH: Erik Hamren isn't short of options on the bench, if he is looking for a goal. He can call upon both Ola Toivonen and former Bolton frontman Johan Elmander. Could we see both of them come on in the second half? The teams are due out shortly in Chisinau.

KICKOFF: Moldova kick off the second half. Can they hold out for draw? They've done it before, just ask Russia.

GOAL! Moldova 0-1 Sweden (Zlatan Ibrahimovic 46)

Well, Sweden have the lead, but the goal came in fortuitous circumstances as Cebanu tries to clear out of defence, but his kick strikes Ibrahimovic's head and inevitably trickles into the net. Cebanu looks sheepish. Ibra looks delighted and Sweden have their breakthrough.

Moldova try to muster an immediate response as Andronic's shot is blocked and drifts out for a corner. However, the visitors are able to clear the resulting delivery away from danger.

UPDATE: England are two goals to the good against Lithuania at Wembley. Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck have put the Three Lions on the way to another victory as they look to increase their lead at the top of Group E.

Sweden are trying to forge a second as another break down the flank from Zengin puts Moldova on the back foot, but his cross just evades the reach of Thelin, who has been close to scoring once or twice this evening.

BOOKING:Martin Olsson becomes the latest player to enter the referee's notebook after Kallstrom's foul on Andronic. Perhaps something he said?

The away side are still enjoying the majority of possession, having had 63% of the ball so far. Can they convert that into a second goal?

CHANCE: Thelin seems destined to go without a goal to his name tonight. He manages to take the ball round Cebanu, but his touch was too heavy and Moldova escape with a goal kick.

CHANCE: Sweden close again, and it's Thelin again. The Bordeaux forward follows up Zengin's blocked effort before missing the target himself.

BOOKING: Ibrahimovic becomes the third Swede to pick up a yellow card after remonstrating with the referee.

CHANCE: The PSG forward nearly atones for his dissent with a shot from the left-hand side of the area, which drifts across the face of goal. Good period for the Scandinavians.

Montenegro and Russia are goalless at half time in their Group G clash, which was delayed after Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev was hit by a flare from the crowd. If the scores stays the same in Podgorica then it will be a good night for the Swedes.

SWEDEN SUB: Thelin's night comes to an end, as he makes way for Marcus Berg in attack.

MOLDOVA SUB: The hosts make their second change of the evening as Andronic is replaced by Viorel Frunza.

Zlatan almost creates an opening from nothing there. Running away from goal, the striker's back flick almost plays in Marcus Berg, but Moldova clear the danger.

CHANCE: Ibra is fouled on the edge of the area. He duly steps up and unleashes a fizzing drive that Cebanu does well to keep out. The captain looks in the mood for more goals now!

UPDATE: Here comes the story of the Harry Kane! The Tottenham forward comes off the bench to score his first goal for England. Roy Hodgson's side have built a 4-0 lead against Lithuania and will almost certainly keep their 100% record at the top Group E.

Moldova are trying to find a way back into this game and the crowd haven't given up on them yet. Plenty of noise in Chisinau, but Sweden look like holding on here.

CHANCE: Larsson is given the freedom of the Stadionul Zimbru to run into before his shot is blocked. I wonder if Moldova have begun to tire?

SWEDEN SUB: And that's the Sunderland man's last action this evening as he makes way for Emil Forsberg.

CHANCE: Cebanu keeps his side in the game with a fine double save from Olsson and Kallstrom in quick succession.

PENALTY TO SWEDEN!

Well, Sweden can wrap up the three points from the penalty spot after Bolohan's flying challenge of Forsberg. Ibra looks like he will step up...

GOAL! Moldova 0-2 Sweden (Zlatan Ibrahimovic 84, pen)

That should seal victory for the visitors and they've been good value for that result. Ibrahimovic nonchalantly buries the spot kick in the top corner, giving Cebanu no chance. Excellent spot kick!

BOOKING: Gheorghiev picks up a yellow card for a poor challenge of Forsberg. He is the third Moldovan in the book.

Frunza tries to reach a long ball, but bundles over Granqvist in the process to give away a free kick. The home side haven't really troubled Isaksson in the second half.

Four added minutes left in Chisinau for Sweden to see out. Meanwhile, Berg is penalised for a foul on Bolohan.

RED CARD: Granqvist is off. The defender picks up a second booking for a foul on Frunza, although it didn't look too bad a challenge. A free kick and no more, surely?

FULL TIME: MOLDOVA 0-2 SWEDEN

Sweden pick up their second victory of the campaign and remain unbeaten in this group. They remain four points behind Austria who, perhaps not surprisingly, coasted to victory in Lichtenstein. However, Montenegro and Russia remains goalless heading into the second half. What a result that would be for the Swedes, if it stays the same.

Well, that's all we have for this evening! Thank you for joining Sports Mole on what proved to be a good evening for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden. Be sure to stick around for the latest news and reaction from all tonight's Euro 2016 qualifiers, but for now it's goodnight!

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Sweden's midfielder Jimmy Durmaz celebrates in front of his head coach Erik Hamren after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 Group G qualifying football match Sweden vs Liechtenstein at the Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on October 12, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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