Steven Gerrard 100. match become Zlatan Ibrahimovic one man show, Ibrahimovic wiped out to Roy Hodgson boys.

Steven Gerrard last night hailed a sensational overhead kick by Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the best goal he has ever seen. The brilliance of the Sweden striker put Gerrard’s 100th appearance for England in the shade.
It also served to ram the taunts of England’s fans down their throats as he conjured a virtuoso display in which he plundered all four goals in the 4-2 win
here which condemned Roy Hodgson to his first defeat as England coach.

“Sometimes you have to hold your hands up to a special individual performance, and this was world class from a world-class player,” said Gerrard.

England had been leading 2-1 through goals from Danny Welbeck and debutant Steven Caulker when Hodgson made a raft of substitutions with 15 minutes left, only to see Ibrahimovic take control of an absorbing friendly.

His final goal was an acrobatic overhead kick from 30 yards after goalkeeper Joe Hart had mistimed a headed clearance and had Gerrard, who had earlier been substituted in his landmark game, ceding the spotlight.

“I have mixed emotions,” said the England skipper.

“Obviously, I am very proud for myself, getting to 100 caps, and really pleased with the lads for large parts of the game. I thought we controlled it and did not look like losing. But Ibrahimovic’s last goal was the best I have seen live.

England vs Sweden: Gerrard says ” Zlatan Ibrahimovic one of the most great footballer of the world “

“Everyone knows how special Wayne Rooney’s goal [against Manchester City] was but this one tonight – an overhead kick from 30 yards when the ball is six feet in the air – only certain players can do that, and he is a special player.

“He said some nice things about me before the game and if I could return the compliment – that was one of the best individual performances I have seen. He is not everyone’s cup of tea but he is certainly mine.” Ibrahimovic said: “I think it was a nice goal, one I enjoyed very much, even in a friendly.

“I’ve scored a couple of nice goals in my career, but I’ve not scored four before in the national team.

“I liked the first one more because it was an historic goal, the first in the new arena. But four is not bad.”

Hodgson could take heart from the performances of Raheem Sterling, Leon Osman and Caulker, who all started on debut.

Hodgson also ushered on Ryan Shawcross, Wilfried Zaha and Carl Jenkinson for their first appearances and said: “We played very well for 75 minutes when we had a few more senior players on the field.

“I made further changes in the last 15 minutes but, unfortunately, that’s when Zlatan decided to step into the picture and win the game for them. The fourth goal was the crowning glory, a fantastic goal.

“But there are lots of reasons for me to be optimistic for the future given we’ve got a full team of senior players back home.”

England vs Sweden Match Facts

Sweden: Isaksson, Lustig (Sana 73), Granqvist (Antonsson 73), Jonas Olsson, Martin Olsson (Safari 46), Larsson (Jansson 85), Elm, Kallstrom (Svensson 61), Kacaniklic, Ibrahimovic, Ranegie (Wernbloom 89).

Subs Not Used: Hansson, Holmen, Berg, Hamad.

Booked: Granqvist, Ibrahimovic.

Goals: Ibrahimovic 20, 77, 84, 90.

England: Hart, Johnson (Jenkinson 74), Caulker (Shawcross 74), Cahill, Baines, Cleverley (Wilshere 61), Gerrard (Huddlestone 74), Osman, Young (Sturridge 61), Sterling (Zaha 85), Welbeck.

Subs Not Used: Ruddy, Bertrand, Jagielka, Forster.

Booked: Wilshere.

Goals: Welbeck 35, Caulker 38.

Att: 49,967

Ref: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway).

England vs Sweden Friendly Match Video:

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