Sweden have kept alive their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein, which ensures that the side will at least secure a playoff spot.

© Getty Images

The visitors had a chance to open the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes when Zlatan Ibrahimovic played the ball through to Marcus Berg, but the striker sliced it just wide.

Berg made amends for his miss shortly after though as Jimmy Durmaz set up another chance, which Berg managed to rifle into the bottom right corner to put Sweden ahead.

Berg continued to find gaps in the Liechtenstein defence, running into the box to meet a pass from Erkan Zengin, only to scuff his shot just high of the crossbar.

Sweden had a chance to double their advantage shortly before half time when Ibrahimovic was brought down by Sandro Wieser in the area, but the Paris Saint-Germain striker was unable to convert from the penalty spot as Peter Jehle made the diving save.

Liechtenstein made a bright start to the second half, with Martin Buchel and Franz Burgmeier both breaking into the visitors' box only to miss the target.

However, it was Sweden who added the second goal when Ibrahimovic was left in space in the six-yard box, leaving him with a tap in from a low cross from the right.

Kim Kallstrom could have made it three just moments later when he unleashed a powerful finish from the edge of the box, but Jehle was on hand to make the save.

Ibrahimovic continued to create chances for the visitors, who needed to win to maintain their chance to finish in the automatic qualification position, but he headed over inside the last 15 minutes, before seeing another effort saved moments later.

John Guidetti and Ibrahimovic continued to press with just moments remaining, but both had shots blocked inside the final 10 minutes.

With Montenegro losing to Austria, the win guarantees Sweden a spot in the playoffs, but victory in their final qualifier could be enough for them to beat Russia to the runners-up spot in Group G.

Written by
Sian Cowper