Alexander Isak leads a second-half Swedish charge as Janne Andersson’s team gain a crucial three points against Slovakia

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After such a dismal performance in the first-half from both sides, it was evident the game needed a spark, some individual brilliance and the Real Sociedad striker brought that in abundance.

Despite not scoring, Isak acted as Sweden’s attacking linchpin, constantly dropping deep to receive the ball and move his team up the field of play.

Isak is high on confidence after 17 goals in 34 matches this season, and without the iconic Zlatan Ibrahimović, the pressure on the Stockholm-born striker is higher than that on any of his teammates.

If the burden of his nation’s hopes is felt by him, the 21-year-old certainly hasn’t shown it, giving performances full of confident swagger and showing belief in his own ability.

It is hard to ignore the first-half showing from both sides, with only veteran Sebastian Larsson forcing the issue for Sweden.

Larsson has built a career on excellent set-piece deliveries and a determination not to let his evident shortage of pace hold him back. Excellent spells at Birmingham City and Sunderland is what Larsson is best known for, but at the age of 36, the midfielder is still effective.

His wicked delivery from a free-kick to the right of the Slovakia penalty box allowed Mikel Lustig to get his head to the ball. However, the defender was not able to convert.

Larsson’s determined runs occupied the Slovakian defence, but in truth, Sweden played without any attacking emphasis in the first-half.

Slovakia were no better, only needing a point to reach the golden four-point mark.

Marek Hamsik caused Sweden the most trouble, with darting sprints into the box and one first time effort, which cleared the crossbar.

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Both sides came out for the second half with much more intent to succeed.

Robin Olsen, who has become a large part of Sweden’s defensive success, made an exceptional save to deny Juraj Kucka from opening the score in the second-half.

The midfielder managed to latch onto a dangerous Hamsik free-kick, but Olsen’s cat-like reflexes tipped the ball past the post.

Sweden’s shot-stopper has not been a regular since arriving at Everton, often playing back up to Jordan Pickford with the Swede making seven appearances, conceding nine goals and collecting two clean sheets.

The Malmö-born goalkeeper already has two clean sheets to his name at Euro 2020 and will be hoping to go the whole group stages without conceding a goal.

Midway through the second-half, Isak started to turn it on. His neat footwork set off an excellent flowing move, laying the ball off to Larsson, whose cross found Ludwig Augustinsson. However, Martin Dúbravka matched the powerful header with a stunning one-handed save.

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Sweden, through Isak, missed another goal-scoring opportunity after the striker headed Lustig’s deep cross over the bar.

Chances were coming and going for Sweden, who needed a win to brighten their qualification hopes.

Isak’s moment of highest quality came in the 71st minute.

Collecting the ball in his own half, he proceeded to beat four Slovakian defenders before cutting into the box and firing a low shot towards the bottom corner.

This no doubt may have gone down as the goal of the tournament if it wasn’t for Dúbravka getting down to divert the ball wide of the target.

Sweden finally breached Slovakia’s resistance in the 77th minute, and Isak was at the heart of the moves leading to Robin Quaison being upended by Dúbravka.

Isak manoeuvred his body position to be able to flick a strong pass around the corner, which Quaison latched onto before being fouled. Emil Forsberg converted the penalty to Dúbravka’s right-hand side to give his nation the lead.

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Sweden’s young forward recorded five shots, a 76% pass success, a 86% dribble success rate, four aerial duels won and a 7.9 Who Scored rating, higher than any other player.

This will surely grab the attention of the top clubs in Europe, and with Manchester City actively looking for a striker, Isak may be their man.

Janne Andersson’s side held on to secure their first victory of the tournament and they can secure qualification from the group stage if they avoid defeat against Poland.

Slovakia may rue their defensive approach as they need a result from their final game, in which they face Spain, to give them a chance of progressing to the knockout phase of Euro 2020.

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