Zlatan Ibrahimovic chested the ball down, let it bounce and hit it. Wide.
His 86th-minute attempt for an equalizer in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Belgium at Euro 2016 showed the technique and flair that had made Ibrahimovic a star.
However, his farewell game for Sweden was not to have a fairy-tale ending.
Sweden were eliminated from the competition, while Belgium advanced to the round-of-16, where they are to play Hungary on Sunday in Toulouse, France.
“It feels heavy, it feels disappointing, but at the same time I enjoyed it,” Ibrahimovic said.
“I got the possibility to represent Sweden in the European, so at the same time, I am proud. This was my last game in the national team and I will have many fantastic memories from the national team,” he added.
Sweden coach Erik Hamren, who is also leaving the national team, said: “I hoped we could have a better finish” for Ibrahimovic, who retires from international soccer with 116 caps and a Swedish-record 62 goals.
ON TARGET
While he did not score in his final game, Ibrahimovic looked sharper than in previous matches against the Republic of Ireland and Italy. For the first time in the tournament, he hit the target and even put the ball in the net, though it was ruled out for an earlier foul.
Radja Nainggolan scored the winning goal in the 84th minute with a fierce shot from outside the area as Belgium finished second in Group E. Italy won the group, despite losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland, who also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
With the Republic of Ireland winning, Belgium would have been eliminated by losing to Sweden.
“It was a very difficult game for people who have heart problems,” Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said. “Tactically, we were better on the counter. They have two very big, but slow centerbacks, so I think our counterattack was very good.”
BIG STAR
Ibrahimovic, one of the biggest stars at Euro 2016, played his last game for his nation a day after saying that he was retiring from international soccer after the tournament.
“He is special, he is unique, but I hope we can find some other player who is not Zlatan, but a really, really good player for Sweden,” Hamren said.
Needing a win to advance, Sweden also came close with an early shot from Marcus Berg, but failed to create enough quality opportunities. Shortly before the winning goal, a header from Andreas Granqvist was cleared off the line by Kevin de Bruyne.
“We have kept a clean sheet two times in a row and it makes a difference. You know the problems we had,” Wilmots said.
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