Sweden swagger into quarter-finals after dismantling Portugal

Sweden are warming up nicely. Inaugural European champions in England in 1984, the pre-tournament favourites saved their strongest group display until the last to plunder Portugal and seal top spot in Group C on goal difference from the Netherlands. Belgium, Italy or Iceland await in the next round and Peter Gerhardsson’s team will fear no-one.

Portugal have grown and entertained at this competition, and richly deserved their lap of honour after the final whistle, but had no answer to the power, movement and cutting edge of Sweden on a sweltering evening in Leigh.

Sweden have reached the quarter-final or better on each of their 11 appearances at the Euros and will be confident of maintaining that impressive record on this evidence. “We are very strong and it is difficult to play against us,” Gerhardsson said. “I think the third match was a factor that worked to our advantage. It meant Portugal didn’t have as much time to organise properly to attack us. I’m happy that we won the game and also that we won 5-0 to win the group.”

Sweden initially did not show their level as the second ranked team in the world, the contest was too error-strewn for that, but improved throughout and were comfortably en route to winning the group by half-time. An ominous sign for their rivals. It was always asking a lot of Portugal to produce an upset and qualify but the manner of defeat irked coach Francisco Neto nevertheless.

Neto had spoken of Portugal’s need to improve their defending at set-pieces following Wednesday’s defeat by the Dutch and changed his goalkeeper in response to Inês Pereira’s problems in the 3-2 loss. Her replacement, Patrícia Morais, brought no improvement and was twice found wanting at corners that enabled the Swedes to