On Sunday afternoon, Sweden welcomed Wales to Solna for an international friendly.
The home side led 1-0 at the break courtesy of a 40th-minute strike from Emil Forsberg after smart work from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Sweden then had their second just before the hour when Mikael Lustig fired home from close range, before John Guidetti completed the scoring for the home side late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from Solna as Sweden welcome Wales for a friendly. Both of these teams are building towards the start of Euro 2016, which is now less than one week away. No injuries and a strong performance will be on the agenda for both managers as the European Championships draw ever closer. It should be an entertaining contest here!
This afternoon will be the seventh time that Sweden and Wales have met in international football. Only one of those encounters has been a competitive match and that was a 0-0 draw at the 1958 World Cup. Since then, they have met in five friendlies and Sweden have won all five – including a 1-0 success when the pair last met on March 3, 2010. Both teams should be well-matched this afternoon.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Friends Arena. Who have Erik Hamren and Chris Coleman selected for this afternoon's clash? Let's have a look!
TEAMS:
SWE: Isaksson; Lustig, Johansson, Granqvist, Olsson; Larsson, Kallstrom, Lewicki, Forsberg; Berg, Ibrahimovic
WAL: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, A. Williams, Davies, Taylor; King, Ramsey, Vaughan; J.Williams; Vokes
Soon-to-be Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic - I hope anyway - starts for Sweden, while there are also spots in the home side's XI for Marcus Berg and Sebastian Larsson. Emil Forsberg will win his 10th cap on the left of midfield, while Celtic's Mikael Lustig and Krasnodar's Andreas Granqvist both start in what is a very experienced back five, including goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.
As for Wales, Ashley Williams and Aaron Ramsey both start, but Gareth Bale is only on the bench. The Real Madrid attacker will play a part this afternoon, but that is likely to be in the second period. There is a chance at centre-forward for Sam Vokes, while Jonny Williams and David Vaughan are given roles in the middle of the park. Liverpool's Joe Allen is also on the bench for the Dragons here.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Solna. I shall talk about Wales a little bit later, but let's start with the home team Sweden, who will enter this match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Slovakia on Monday night.
This afternoon's match is Sweden's final friendly before they open their Euro 2016 Group E campaign against Republic of Ireland on June 13. It is going to be very tough for Hamren's side to qualify from a section that also includes Italy and Belgium, but with a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, anything is possible! The free agent will need to have a big tournament if Sweden are to make an impression!
On home soil, Sweden reached the semi-finals of Euro 1992, while they also made the quarter-finals of Euro 2004. The Blue and Yellows went out in the group stages of both Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, however, and face a tough task to qualify this time around. It is also worth mentioning that Sweden have not qualified for a World Cup since 2006. There was no Zlatan and no party at the 2014 World Cup.
During qualification for Euro 2016, Sweden won five of their 10 matches to finish in third position behind Austria and Russia. That was enough to earn a play-off spot and Hamren's side beat Denmark 4-3 on aggregate to secure a spot in the finals. It was more tricky than it perhaps should have been, but Sweden are there and that is all that matters as the competition draws closer!
Sweden have actually only won one of their last six international friendlies, but that was an impressive 3-0 victory in Finland in January. Since then, they have lost to Turkey and drawn with both Czech Republic and Slovakia. The result this afternoon is not important, but there is a chance for a number of players to secure spots in the starting XI for the clash with Republic of Ireland.
As for Wales, Chris Coleman's side have not played since losing 1-0 to Ukraine in a friendly at the end of March. They have not actually won since beating Andorra 2-0 in their final Euro 2016 qualification match last October – losing to Netherlands and drawing with Northern Ireland since then.
None of that matters, however, after Wales qualified for their first ever European Championships. They have only ever played in one major competition and that was the 1958 World Cup, when they made the quarter-finals on Swedish soil. Since then, it has been a difficult period for Welsh football, but they will have the chance to create some more history in France.
The Dragons finished second in Group B behind Belgium as they secured qualification for Euro 2016. Coleman's side only lost one of their 10 matches and six wins were enough to see them finish four points clear of third-place Bosnia-Herzegovina and just one off an impressive Belgium side.
Wales will open their Euro 2016 Group B campaign against Slovakia on June 11, before facing England on June 16 in what promises to be a fascinating contest. They will then end their group against Russia on June 20. Two teams will make it through each section and Wales will fancy their chances if they can secure a positive result in the opener six days from now. Euro 2016 is almost upon us!
Just a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon...
SWE: Isaksson; Lustig, Johansson, Granqvist, Olsson; Larsson, Kallstrom, Lewicki, Forsberg; Berg, Ibrahimovic
WAL: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, A. Williams, Davies, Taylor; King, Ramsey, Vaughan; J.Williams; Vokes
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. Once the national anthems have taken place and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get the action underway in Solna. Let's hope for an open and entertaining game of football this afternoon!
KICKOFF! Sweden get the first period underway here...
... fast start from Sweden as Olsson break down the left before smashing a low cross into the near post, but it deflects over the crossbar. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side continue to pop the ball around in the final third. Sign of things to come?!
Wales are on the back foot in these early moments as Sweden continue to enjoy possession of the ball. Ibrahimovic drops deep and he looks in the mood as he struts around in the final third.
CHANCE! Lustig comes close for Sweden after meeting a corner from the left, but his header is just over the crossbar. Wales have not really settled in the opening five minutes!
Ramsey, with his fresh new hair colour, is starting to see more of the ball in the middle of the park, but Sweden continue to look the most likely to make something happen in the final third.
Jonny Williams runs at Lustig and manages to deliver a high cross towards Vokes, but Johansson is strong in the air and clears into Kallstrom, who shows smart feet in a tight area. We are still waiting for the first serious chance of the match, with Lustig's header the only real half-chance thus far here!
Smart defending from Ben Davies as the Welshman gets up above Ibrahimovic after Kallstrom had delivered into the Sweden box. The tempo is just starting to rise with 13 on the clock in Solna.
Kallstrom continues to pick up space for the home side, but his passing has not been quite 'there' in the opening 15 minutes. Wales are just struggling to move through the gears at the moment as Sam Vokes works the line with little support. Just a reminder that Bale is on the bench for the Dragons.
Johansson loses possession outside his own box and Ramsey can find Taylor, but the left-back's effort is blocked by Granqvist. Ramsey is starting to influence the game for Wales and manages to deliver another cross into Vokes, but it is a comfortable claim for the vastly experienced Isaksson.
Possession football for Wales as they move the ball from left to right, but Jonny Williams turns into traffic and there are too many yellow shirts in the way. Quite a scrappy game at the moment here.
Half-chance for Sweden as Ibrahimovic lines one up from outside the box, but his effort is wide.
The atmosphere has dropped inside the stadium, which is a reflection of matters on the field. In truth, not too much is happening at the moment as both teams cancel each other out in midfield.
Forsberg breaks down the left for Sweden following a quick counter, but the number six is offside and Wales can resume play from a free kick. We are in need of some inspiration at the moment.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still all square. Ashley Williams and Ibrahimovic are having an interesting battle at the back - two big men with big personalities!
Sweden have a free kick just outside the box as Vaughan dives in on Forsberg...
... Ibrahimovic strikes the set piece straight into the wall.
Ibrahimovic has just tripped Vaughan as Wales tried to break!
Jonny Williams is currently on the deck for Wales receiving some treatment.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it has not been a particularly good game. Sweden have had some bright moments, but Wales have struggled in the final third. Taylor finds a smart cross into Vokes in Wales' latest counter, but the striker was in an offside position.
Ramsey looks to battle his way through the Swedish defence, but Lewicki is on hand to make the challenge. The home side drive down the other end and Chester is forced to clear Berg's cross!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and we are still level at 0-0 in Solna.
GOAL! Sweden 1-0 Wales (Forsberg)
Sweden make the breakthrough in the 40th minute as Ibrahimovic drives down the left before finding Forsberg, who drills one into the bottom corner. Super finish from the midfielder there!
In truth, Wales have been poor in this first period. Sweden deserve their lead at this stage.
I should not imagine that there will be much added time at the end of the first period - not too much has happened in terms of injuries aside from a short stoppage when Jonny Williams needed treatment.
HALF-TIME: Sweden 1-0 Wales
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sweden leading 1-0 courtesy of a 40th-minute effort from Emil Forsberg, who had been found by the excellent Ibrahimovic. In truth, Wales have hardly had an attack of note let alone chance of note in this afternoon's clash.
STATS! Sweden have just about shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had six attempts - one of which was on target. Wales, meanwhile, have only managed one attempt off target thus far in Solna. No yellow cards to report - there has hardly been a challenge of note!
BENCH WATCH! Changes are expected at the break and Ekdal, Durmaz, Kijovic and Wernbloom are among those that should feature for Sweden in the second period. Wales, meanwhile, have the likes of James Collins, David Edwards and a certain Gareth Bale in reserve for the second period.
RESTART! Wales resume the action in Solna...
... SWEDEN SUB! Olsen replaces Isaksson between the sticks.
WALES SUB! Ward replaces Hennessey between the sticks for Wales.
SWEDEN SUB! Augustinsson replaces Olsson in Sweden's second change.
OFF THE LINE! James Chester clears a Berg effort off the line after the number 11 had lifted the ball over the onrushing Ward! Once again a slow start from Wales to the half here!
Vokes has been unable to make an impression for Wales in the final third and you sense that the number 18 will need some support sooner rather than later. Wales do not look ready for the start of Euro 2016, but they are still missing two/three key members of their XI. One of which is Bale.
Sweden remain in control of this contest as they pass and probe in the Welsh half of the field. Ibrahimovic has once again been the best player on the pitch this afternoon. Excellent.
GOAL! Sweden 2-0 Wales (Lustig)
Sweden have their second of the match in the 57th minute as Lustig fires home from close range after Ward had kept out two efforts in quick succession. Poor defending from Wales there!
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and Wales are struggling here.
SWEDEN SUBS! Ekdal and Durmaz replace Ibrahimovic and Forsberg.
Bale is preparing to enter the frame for Wales with 63 minutes on the clock.
WALES SUB! Bale replaces King for Wales.
WALES SUBS! Collins and Edwards replace Vaughan and Chester.
Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining and in truth, Wales have really struggled to make their mark this afternoon. Sweden have been the better team by some distance.
Ramsey finds Bale in a wide position as Wales launch a fast break, but Joahnsson is on hand to make the block. You just get the feeling that there are a couple more goals in this contest.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but it is no surprise that Wales look a different prospect with Bale and Ramsey in tandem in the final third of the field.
WALES SUBS! Church and Huws replace Vokes and Jonny Williams.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and the match is starting to open up. Bale continues to find space for Wales, but Ramsey's touch has been a little strong in the last few moments.
SWEDEN SUB! Guidetti replaces Berg for Sweden.
Possession football from Wales as we approach the final 10 minutes of action. Neil Taylor breaks down the left for the visitors before delivering into Bale, but Granqvist is first to the ball.
Smart work from Hughes as the substitute drives down the left before delivering into Bale, but once again it is smart defending from Sweden, who have been very strong at the back this afternoon.
Ramsey hammers one over the crossbar as Wales continue to probe.
Bale has just been chopped down in a wide position, but he seems fine!
Another half-chance for Wales, but Church clips over from close range after smart work from Bale.
Bale is standing over a free kick in Bale territory...
... straight into the wall from the Real Madrid attacker!
GOAL! Sweden 3-0 Wales (Guidetti)
Sweden have their third in the 87th minute as Guidetti fires home from close range after some poor defending from Ashley Williams. Ward got a hand to the ball, but it was not enough!
Bale fires another free kick over the crossbar as Wales' struggles continue in Solna.
Huws fires wide of the post as Wales pass up another chance to breach the Sweden goal.
FULL-TIME: Sweden 3-0 Wales
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to an end with Sweden recording a 3-0 win over Wales, who are currently struggling for form. Both teams will now switch their attention to Euro 2016, which officially gets underway next Friday! See you again soon!
