Time for Zlatan and Ronaldo to stand up and deliver

SWEDEN striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said yesterday that he would retire from international football at the end of Euro 2016, dealing a massive blow to a side that have struggled to find the goal at this year’s competition.

“The last game (at Euro 2016) will be my last for Sweden, so I hope it will not be tomorrow (Wednesday),” he said. “I am very proud of what I have achieved and will always bring the Swedish flag with me.”

The Swedes have failed to muster a single shot on target in their first two games, their only goal so far was scored for them by Ireland’s Ciaran Clark in a 1-1 draw.

But they have failed to exploit Ibrahimovic the presence of Ibrahimovic, pictured, and they are now in danger of a second successive group-stage exit.

A draw tonight would send Belgium to the last 16 alongside already-qualified Italy and almost certainly send the Swedes scuttling home.

A Swedish win would take them above Belgium and ensure second place providing Ireland do not beat Italy.

Forward Marcus Berg said that the statistics were not a fair reflection of their performances.

“I understand that from outside, it’s black and white, but for us it’s a little grey too. But now it has become an issue,” he said.

“It’s up to the whole team to join in offensively,” he said. “In the Ireland game we had some dangerous balls, and if we got a toe on the ball, then it would’ve been a goal.”

Coach Erik Hamren acknowledged the problem although he did not give any clues about changes.

“Of course, I would be happier if we had scored some goals but we do our best,” he said. “We need to be better in offence, of course, if we are going to win the game.”

Another team who has struggled to find the back of the net is the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portuguese side who have managed more shots in their opening two games than any other team, yet all they have to show for it is one goal, two points and a possible early exit from the competition.

One of the most technically gifted of the 24 teams, Portugal managed 50 goal attempts in their two games, featuring 17 on target, 17 off target and 16 which were blocked.

Only a win over the unbeaten Hungarians tonight will take them into the last 16 without depending on other matches.

Hungary, meanwhile, need a draw to make sure of a top-two finish although even if they lose they could qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Ronaldo has been one of Portugal’s biggest culprits, missing an easy chance late in the 1-1 draw with Iceland and firing a penalty against the post late in the Austria match.

Portugal’s players have offered little insight into what is going wrong, saying merely that if they keep trying, the goals will start flowing eventually.

“We did everything well, but once again the ball didn’t go in... what can you say?” said Nani after the goalless draw against Austria on Saturday.

“We can’t just keep making excuses about the ball not going in. Our time will come, and that will be in the next game. We are going to be very lucky and all our shots will go in.”

Coach Fernando Santos said that a more ruthless approach is required.

“Sometimes, I get the feeling that we are ashamed about being ugly, or not being pretty. If we have to be ugly and that brings us efficiency, we have to be ugly,” he said. – Reuters