Claesson the hero as Sweden survive Polish comeback to reach last 16

Group E

Sweden 3-2 Poland

Sweden secured top spot in Group E with a last-gasp 3-2 win as Poland were eliminated despite two goals from Robert Lewandowski.

Only a win could have kept Poland in Euro 2020 but any hope of that appeared to have gone when Emil Forsberg followed up his goal in the second minute with another after the break.

But Lewandowski, who had struck the crossbar twice in the first half, pulled one back with a wonderful shot on the angle before conjuring up an unlikely equaliser late on.

As Paulo Sousa’s side pushed hard for the winning goal they needed they left spaces at the back and substitute Viktor Claesson capitalised to win the game in stoppage time.

That goal moved Janne Andersson’s Sweden above Spain in Group E and they now travel to Glasgow to face Ukraine or the Czech Republic depending on what happens later in the evening in Group F.

For all the permutations at this stage of the competition, there was clarity for Poland coming into the game – win or go home – but the task became tougher inside two minutes.

Forsberg capitalised on hapless defending by Kamil Jozwiak inside the area before lashing the ball left-footed beyond the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

The ball hit the net after 81 seconds, making it the second fastest goal in European Championships history, and there was no immediate response from Poland.

Alexander Isak had the chance to double the lead soon after, rolling Kamil Glik with ease but failing to find strike partner Robin Quaison who was unmarked in the middle of the box.

Poland’s first chance to equalise came in the 17th minute and it was a huge opportunity as Lewandowski hit the crossbar twice in quick succession with Robin Olsen beaten.

The header from the corner was an impressive one but the Bayern Munich forward should have done much better with the follow-up attempt as the goal was gaping.

Despite plenty of possession that was as close as Poland came in the first half as their delivery from wide areas was particularly poor. Sweden were relatively untroubled.

That changed in the second half as Poland’s urgency became apparent with Olsen forced into a good save low to his right from Grzegorz Krychowiak’s probing long-range effort.

But the introduction of Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski was the catalyst for Sweden’s second as his mazy run teed up Forsberg to stroke the ball beyond Szczesny again.

That left Poland in dire trouble, although it did seem to inspire them. Within minutes, Lewandowski found rare space in the left channel and curled the ball into the far corner of the net.

A narrow offside decision midway through the second half denied Jakub Swierczok an equaliser as Poland threw everything at Sweden, the tempo of their game raised.

Finally, the breakthrough came. Impressive substitute Przemyslaw Frankowski swung in the cross and poor defending allowed Lewandowski time to slot home with his left foot.

It sparked a frenzied finish as Poland tossed the ball into the Sweden box but with time running out they were punished on the counter-attack by Claesson’s neat finish.