France advance in embarrassing fashion
France's Olivier Giroud rues a missed chance from a header
Laurent Blanc's side had England to thank for their quarterfinal place after they beat co-hosts and third-placed Ukraine 1-0.
France started strongly against Sweden, who were already eliminated and were still going to finish bottom anyway, even with a win in their final Group D match.
Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson made the first save of the game keeping out Franck Ribery’s shot from a tight angle after collecting a pass from Karim Benzema in the eighth minute.
Two minutes later, Sweden striker Ola Toivonen, with only Hugo Loris to beat, hit the post for the two-time champions to survive.
Thereafter it was a stop-start affair until the half-time whistle, although France were the better team but wasted chance after chance in front Sweden’s goal.
The tables turned after the break with Sweden taking the game to France and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic crashed in a superb scissors kick to give the departing side a 53rd minute lead.
Sweden defended resolutely against France, who pushed forward but failed to breach their opponent’s defence.
Arsenal target Olivier Giroud almost headed in the ball for France in the 82nd minute after coming on as a sub, but his effort went wide.
Sweden made sure they returned to Stockholm with some pride when the impressive Sebastian Larsson finished off a rebound to dispatch France to their first defeat in 24 games.
France, who dropped from first to second in Group D to finish on four points, face champions Spain in Donetsk on Saturday.
England, who beat Ukraine 1-0 and knocked France off the top to finish on seven points, take on Italy on Sunday in Kiev.
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