Sweden are warming up nicely. Inaugural European champions in England in 1984, the pre-tournament favourites saved their strongest group display until the last to plunder Portugal and seal top spot in Group C on goal difference from the Netherlands. Belgium, Italy or Iceland await in the next round and Peter Gerhardsson’s team will fear no one.
Portugal have grown and entertained at this competition and richly deserved their lap of honour after the final whistle, but had no answer to the power, movement and cutting edge of Sweden on a sweltering evening in Leigh.
