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Euro 2016: Ibrahimovic's international career ends with a whimper

CCTV.com

06-23-2016 15:56 BJT

In group E Sweden needed a win against Belgium to stand any chance of reaching the knock-out stages and one man hoping not be on an early flight home was the Swedes star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 34-year-old had announced the previous day his plans to retire from international football at the end of the tournament and would need the produce a good performance here if he wanted to carry on representing his country a little while longer. 

Sweden's captain earned his first cap in 2001 and 62 goals in 116 appearances later, he is their all time leading goal scorer having overtaken Henrik Larson in 2014. 

But during the tournament he hasn't been on form and is yet to open his account in these Euros. On 30 minutes the former PSG man steers a shot wide in a dominating first half display from the Swedes.

Shortly after the break Belgium nearly open the scoring. A perfect pass from Kevin De Bruyne sets Romanlu Lukaku free but the Everton striker can't convert.

5 minutes before the end the team ranked number 2 in the world make the break though. Radja Nainggolan's 25-yard strike gets a deflection off Erak Zengin to beat Isaksson  It proves to be the only goal of the game as Belgium progress and Sweden are sent home. 

A disappointing end for Ibrahimovic but no one can deny his overall contribution to international football.

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