Zlatan led Sweden to victory in a weak match – VG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (39) returned with Sweden after an absence of four and a half years. Or 1737 days, as the Swedish media “convinced of Zlatan” pointed out and emphasized before the first qualifying match for the World Cup of the fraternal people against Georgia at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

Zlatan’s return, after his farewell from the defeat to Belgium at France-EM 2016, came with very high expectations, in case anyone had doubts.

On top of that, he became the oldest of all time, 39 years, five months and 23 days, who has played for the Swedish national soccer team when he got into motion after the national anthems and the start signal of the referee.

The now old record: Thomas Ravelli (38 years and 59 days).

Helpless Georgia didn’t seem to care one way or another. They just got off to a better start than Sweden. Initially, Giorgi Kvilitaia could have provided leadership to the guests on a couple of occasions, while Janne Andersson’s team seemed highly indecisive.

Alexander Isak represented Sweden’s best chance after just under 30 minutes. Viktor Claesson heads the ball back into Georgia’s 16-meter area, former Real Sociedad teammate Martin Ødegaard putty his left foot, but Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria saved and cleared.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, right?

He hadn’t looked like much against Viktor Claesson from the necessary position and with a long toe he pushed 1-0 under Loria in the 35th minute.

Zlatan provided the assist for the goal. Mikael Lustig delivers a cross from the right wing. Zlatan smoothed the ball with his chest, “set” it on his right foot, and handed it to Claesson, who kept pace with similar finesse.

– Zlatan has entered the group well, both on and off the field. He’s easy to play with, says Viktor Claesson in an interview with C More after the game.

That was it, halfway there.

It was not undeserved for Sweden to lead, but the 1-1 would not have caused a firestorm of complaints either.

Eight minutes into the second half, Zlatan Ibrahimovic started a discussion with referee Benoit Bastien. It was the longest time ever for the Frenchman, who showed Zlatan the yellow card. It was contagious. Swedes Kristoffer Olsson and Ludwig Augustinsson received yellow cards in quick succession.

After that, not much happened with a positive sign, seen through Swedish eyes. In the 82nd minute, Levan Shengelia was about to put one more goal for the visitors when, after entering the center, he fired from the edge of the area, but his shot went over the goal. However, Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt masterfully saved the shot smoothly and quickly down the right.

Six minutes before the end, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was replaced by Robin Quaison. Zlatan sat down on the bench, had a drink, which obviously didn’t taste good, and wrinkled his nose. Which was in the style of the weak performance of Sweden.

– We are not entirely satisfied with what we are achieving. But we take the victory with us, says match winner Claesson.

P.S! Sweden top their group table after Spain had to give up points in the game against Greece at home. It ended 1-1.