Freddie Ljungberg believes Marcus Danielson red card was turning point of Sweden's defeat to Ukraine
ByTNT Sports
Updated 19/03/2025 at 03:11 GMT
Sweden's defending against Ukraine in their 2-1 extra time defeat was praised by Freddie Ljungberg and Ashley Williams. But former Sweden and Arsenal midfielder Ljungberg believes the turning point of the match was the red card given to Marcus Danielson by VAR in the 100th minute for a high challenge.
Daniele Orsato (L) shows a red card to Sweden's defender Marcus Danielsson
Image credit: Getty Images
Freddie Ljungberg believes Marcus Danielson's sending off was the turning point in Sweden's 2-1 extra time defeat to Ukraine in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
Danielson was controversially dismissed in the 100th minute after a VAR review for a high challenge on Artem Besedin and Sweden were eventually broken when Artem Dovbyk grabbed the winner in the dying seconds.
The result sees Ukraine set up a quarter-final clash with England on Saturday in Rome.
Former Sweden midfielder Ljungberg told the BBC: "They did well, of course Sweden had a sending off that's the biggest talking point.
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Sweden – Ukraine, Euro-2020
Image credit: Getty Images
"It probably was [correct decision].
"Then the game changed. Ukraine were by far the better team and scored a great header in the end."
Reflecting on their tournament as a whole, the ex-Arsenal player added: "We felt with the draw Sweden were first in their group, they had a good draw into this game compared to what they could have had.
"I felt Sweden did quite well, but that sending off was vital."
Former Wales defender Ashley Williams praised Sweden for the way they defended after being reduced to ten men.
He said: "They [Ukraine] kept probing and pushing against a Swedish team that defended their box really well with ten men.
"It was a shame, Sweden defended the box well and the centre of the pitch.
"Ukraine were struggling to find something."
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