Sv. PETERSBURG, Russia (AFP) – Swedish successor Zlatan Ibrahimovich changed the match without scoring a goal.

The performance of the second half of Alexander Isak highlighted the hitherto difficult match against Slovakia, which was heading for a goalless draw, while the highly rated 21-year attack masterfully passed over the top of the defense.

Robin Quayson took his place. Emil Forsberg converted the penalty on Friday and secured Sweden a 1-0 win and possibly a place in the last 16 European Championships.

Isak, the son of Eritrean parents who moved to Stockholm in the 1980s due to a prolonged civil war in East Africa, also approached two other occasions during the second half, a major step from the first step.

However, he turned the situation in Sweden almost helplessly, which was very impressive for a young friend who took part in his first big tournament after a fantastic season at the Spanish club Real Sociedad. There he is called “Swedish Christ”.

“Sometimes Alexander had to do everything himself,” said Swedish coach Jan Andersson.

As a mysterious and fun dribble for most of him shortly after the break that began on his own half, he saw him drift to the left when he beat Slovak players, and then interrupted it with an interruption, which Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka set off.

As well as the way he gets out a few minutes later to meet the center from the right wing with a header outside the crossbar.

And he represented the way he sprinted in front of his observer to shake off the exact pass that led to the penalty kick. Dubravka received the smallest points on Quaison’s leg when the attacker tried to bypass the goalkeeper and just whistled.

The comparisons between Isak and Ibrahimovica – Sweden’s largest source – are high and endowed with great technical skills, they are clear, although perhaps a little premature.

“Don’t think that there is much doubt that Alexander Isaacs will arouse great interest in clubs from all over Europe,” former England captain Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter after the match. “Exceptional talent.”

Not surprisingly, the name Isak was chanted by a small proportion of Sweden’s yellow-clad friends behind the goal after the final meeting in St. Petersburg.

“Sure, it’s a difference to play for the team and for the national team,” Isaacs said. “You can handle it really well without the club noticing you. But with big leagues it only happens. There are more eyes on you.

He added: “The second half was more open and I was able to attack and create a lot of chances. I think everyone understands that something is missing here today. “

This goal finally came and gave Sweden four points in the E-group, which may be enough to advance to the round of 16 after the opening of the draw 0: 0 against Spain. Slovakia has three bodies after the start of the 2: 1 victory over Poland, so you will need at least one point from their last group match against Spain in Seville.

In addition to Isaacs’ individual contributions, I felt that the stable piece would decide the match played in the afternoon stifling heat in St. Petersburg.

In the first result, there was only one shot at the goal, so the referee fired in the first half without playing any extra time. This type of game hardly improves Sweden’s reputation for their excellent defensive tactics against Spain.

A draw would be good for Slovaks who, after gaining an independent country in 1993, got into a knockout force at each of the other two major tournaments they qualified for.

Now, after Forsberg’s punishment, they still have work to do.

“We came here as an outsider and everyone counts against us a victory for three bodies,” said Slovak coach Stefan Tarkovic. “We were able to beat a very strong Poland and we were close to a draw with Sweden. I’m still optimistic. “

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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80