Viktor’s touch of Claess is so Swede
ROBIN QUAISON put Sweden on the road to a comfortable 2-1 win over Romania in their Euro 2020 qualifier.
After a slow start, Quaison gave the Swedes the lead, prodding home from close range to grab his third goal in only his seventh international match.
The forward was also involved in Sweden’s second seven minutes later.
He fired in a ball that was cleared as far as Viktor Claesson, who rifled the ball home from the edge of the box.
Romania upped the tempo after the break and pulled a goal back through Claudiu Keseru as he headed home Razvan Marin’s chipped pass.
The visitors pressed for the equaliser but created few chances.
Sweden looked dangerous on the break with Claesson shooting into the side netting after a late counter-attack and held on for the win.
Switzerland survived a difficult first half and overcame the absence of Xherdan Shaqiri and Haris Seferovic to beat Georgia
2-0 away from home in their opening clash.
Second-half goals from Steven Zuber and Denis Zakaria ended Georgia’s unbeaten home run of eight matches as Vladimir Petkovic’s side ran out winners.
The Swiss, playing their first match since their stunning 5-2 Nations League win over Belgium in November, struggled to create first-half chances.
The second half was a different story as they took control and went in front in the 57th minute when Breel Embolo laid the ball to Zuber and he fired into the corner.
Embolo nearly added another three minutes later as the Georgian defence was opened up with ease.
Another break in the 80th minute ended with Albian Ajeti’s shot being blocked by Giorgi Loria but it fell to Zakaria who netted.
Malta got their campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over the Faroe Islands.
Kyrian Nwoko gave the home side an early lead, heading past keeper Gunnar Nielsen into the bottom corner.
The Faroe Islanders enjoyed the majority of possession but Malta increased their advantage in the 77th minute after Joseph Mbong was brought down in the box.
Steve Borg tucked away the spot kick before Jakup Thomsen headed a consolation in the eighth minute of added time.