Northern Ireland 2
- 1 Sweden
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Euro 2008 Qualifiers - Wed, 28 Mar 2007
Northern Ireland replaced Sweden at
the top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group after a David Healy double gave them
another famous victory at Windsor Park.
The visitors took a 27th-minute lead
when Johan Elmander held off Aaron Hughes before firing past Maik Taylor.
Healy levelled four minutes later
with a superb strike from 18 yards and won it with a near-post finish from
Damien Johnson's cross on 59 minutes.
Stephen Craigan nearly scored an own
goal after his clearance hit a post.
The Belfast fans were in full voice
as the game started at a frantic pace.
There was plenty of effort but
creating chances was proving a problem in what was becoming a physical battle.
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was
first to go close on 23 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick which drifted just
wide.
Michael Duff was presented with
Northern Ireland's first opening two minutes later but headed well over from a
Chris Brunt corner.
The visitors took the lead with the
first good move after 27 minutes, which finished with Elmander using his
strength to create space before netting from close range.
The equaliser came just four minutes
later and it was a superb strike from the prolific Healy, who sent a dipping
shot into the top corner from 18 yards.
Johnson picked up the first booking
seven minutes from the break after a trip on Freddie Ljungberg.
Sweden looked more potent early in
the second half and Grant McCann had to clear off the line from Ibrahimovich's
54th minute header.
But it was Northern Ireland who struck next and again it was Healy, meeting Johnson's cross at the near post and flicking the ball beyond a diving Iasaksson.
Lawrie's Sanchez's side were also
having a bit of luck as Craigan sent an attempted clearance crashing against a
post and out to safety on 69 minutes.
Sweden pressed for the equaliser and
Ibrahimovich shot over before Ljungberg and Elmander wasted good opportunities.
Healy could have made it a second
hat-trick in two games but his fierce shot went straight at Andreas Isaksson.
The Leeds United forward, who has
scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign, received a standing ovation after
being substituted in the dying seconds.