Denmark 2-2 Sweden

Tuesday 22 June 2004
7.45 - Porto (Bessa)

A last-minute goal from Mattias Jonson ensured that Sweden and Denmark both qualify from Group C. Jon Dahl Tomasson twice gave Denmark the lead in an enthralling game but Jonson's strike means that Sweden finish group winners while Italy are eliminated.

Denmark face Czech Republic
It was the result Italy had dreaded the most and ensured that Sweden finished top courtesy of goals scored between the three sides as they all finish level on five points. Denmark now face the Czech Republic on Sunday, Sweden the Group D runners-up the day before.

New-look midfield
Sweden lined up with an unfamiliar look to their midfield, as three of the four players who started against Italy missed out. SL Benfica's Anders Andersson was a surprise choice to replace the suspended Tobias Linderoth, while Jonson came in for Christian Wilhelmsson on the right, Fredrik Ljungberg continued on the left, and Kim Källström made his first start behind front-two Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson.

Grønkjær starts
Denmark made one change, with winger Jesper Grønkjær earning a starting role after impressing as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Bulgaria. Daniel Jensen kept his place in midfield alongside Thomas Gravesen, while Martin Jørgensen lined up on the left and Tomasson played a withdrawn role behind centre forward Ebbe Sand.

Early chance
Heavy drizzle and a swirling wind made it difficult for both sides to settle, but it was Denmark who posed the biggest threat early on. Grønkjær was particularly prominent and his deep cross picked out Jørgensen after five minutes but the Udinese Calcio winger miscued his volley.

Jensen block
The slippery conditions caused Andreas Jakobsson to lose his footing in the 14th minute, allowing Tomasson to play Grønkjær into space only for the winger to slice a shot into the sidenetting. Cheered on by their vocal supporters, Sweden carved their first opening seconds later as Ibrahimovic cut the ball back for Larsson whose shot was blocked by Niclas Jensen.

Tomasson opener
Denmark took the lead with a moment of brilliance from Tomasson in the 27th minute. The AC Milan striker chested down a lay-off from Sand and, after spotting Isaksson off his line, struck a sublime dipping volley into the top right corner from 30 metres. The goal stirred Sweden to life and they came close to equalising three times before half-time, Olof Mellberg heading against the post at one point

Larsson leveller
Denmark sent on Kasper Bøgelund for Niclas Jensen at the break but they were still getting organised at the back when Sweden won a penalty less than a minute after the restart. Larsson latched onto Mellberg's long pass and, after toeing the ball past Sørensen, was brought to ground by the goalkeeper. The former Celtic FC striker coolly stepped up and sent Sørensen the wrong way from the spot to level matters.

Confident Sweden
Sweden, knowing that a draw would guarantee them a place in the last eight, grew in confidence and began to enjoy lengthy spells of possession. One such spell culminated with Ibrahimovic feeding the ball into the path of Larsson whose stinging low drive flashed wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Tomasson strikes again
Denmark struggled to find the same fluency as in the first half but received the break they needed on 66 minutes when substitute Christian Poulsen's long-range shot deflected into the path of Tomasson who steered the ball into the bottom corner.

Jonson strikes
The Danes were now in the ascendancy, and when Ibrahimovic shot straight at Sørensen on 77 minutes it looked to be the closest Sweden would come to an equaliser - before Jonson's late strike.

Denmark Goals: Tomasson 28, 66

Bulgaria Goals: Larsson 47 (pen), Jonson 89

©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved