Wesley Hoolahan’s brilliant finish was not enough to give the Republic of Ireland a winning start to Euro 2016 as Ciaran Clark’s own goal ensured a 1-1 draw with Sweden on Monday.
Wesley Hoolahan’s brilliant finish was not enough to give the Republic of Ireland a winning start to Euro 2016 as Ciaran Clark’s own goal ensured a 1-1 draw with Sweden on Monday.
Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman’s flighted ball with a controlled first-time strike three minutes into the second half at the Stade de France to give Ireland a lead they fully deserved. However, having been kept quiet for long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the equaliser in the 71st minute when his cutback was turned into his own net by Aston Villa defender Clark.
It is a result that keeps both sides in the running in Group E, which also contains Italy and much-fancied Belgium, but the Irish will be especially frustrated at earning only a point.
Ibrahimovic was attempting to become the first player to score in four separate Euros, but the Sweden captain was a peripheral figure in a first period in which Ireland were the better team.
Martin O’Neill’s men played with far greater intensity and were first to threaten from a Jeff Hendrick shot nine minutes in that was well struck but was turned around the post by Andreas Isaksson. Then captain John O’Shea was unable to turn the ball in with the goalkeeper beaten.
