Euro 2016 qualifying: Ola Toivonen rescues point for Sweden against Russia

Sweden's forward Ola Toivonen, right, celebrates with his teammate midfielder Erkan Zengin after scoring past Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev on October 9, 2014 at Friends Arena in Solna, near StockShow more

STOCKHOLM // Ola Toivonen scored a second-half equaliser to hand Sweden a 1-1 draw with Russia in their Euro 2016 Group G qualifier at Solna on Thursday.

The Rennes forward cancelled out Dynamo Moscow forward Alexander Kokorin’s first-half opener as Sweden drew for the second time in as many group matches.

Meanwhile, Russia joined Montenegro and Austria in a share of top spot on four points.

However, it could have been different but for Sweden missing a first half penalty.

“It was an interesting match,” Russia’s manager Fabio Capello said.

“We played really well today and created more scoring opportunities than our rivals. Unfortunately the result didn’t fit our expectations.

“Sweden also had chances especially in the dead-ball situations but we were much closer to a victory.”

The hosts, who were sorely missing injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, started in lively fashion but the 23-year-old Kokorin silenced the packed Friends Arena with a goal in the 10th minute.

Alexander Samedov found Kokorin and he worked his way into the box before shooting low past the outstretched hands of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

Sweden were awarded a penalty after Igor Smolnikov fouled Jimmy Durmaz in the area.

But Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev confidently parried Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson’s spotkick in the 13th minute.

In the 22nd minute Spartak Moscow striker Artem Dzyuba had an opportunity to double the advantage but his close-range shot after a one-two with Kokorin went inches wide.

Three minutes after the restart Toivonen pulled the scores level as he converted Durmaz’s precise left-wing cross from the edge of the six-yard box.

Zenit winger Oleg Shatov had a clear chance to restore Russia’s lead in the 58th minute on a breakaway but his angled shot failed to find the target.

Euro 2016 qualifying results & fixtures

Thursday

Belarus 0 Ukraine 2

Macedonia 3 Luxembourg 2

Lithuania 1 Estonia 0

Slovenia 1 Switzerland 0

Liechtenstein 0 Montenegro 0

Moldova 1 Austria 2

Sweden 1 Russia 1

Friday (in UAE time)

Latvia v Iceland, 10.45pm

Netherlands v Kazakhstan, 10.45pm

Turkey v Czech Republic, 10.45pm

Belgium v Andorra, 10.45pm

Cyprus v Israel, 10.45pm

Wales v Bosnia and Hercegovina, 10.45pm

Bulgaria v Croatia, 10.45pm

Italy v Azerbaijan, 10.45pm

Malta v Norway, 10.45pm

Saturday

Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar, 8pm

Scotland v Georgia, 8pm

Poland v Germany, 10.45pm

Romania v Hungary, 8pm

Finland v Greece, 10.45pm

Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands, 10.45pm

Armenia v Serbia, 8pm

Albania v Denmark, 10.45pm

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