ENGLISH fans now know what the rest of Europe has been aware of for a long time – Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a class act.
Supporters here have probably been the last to be convinced about the big striker but his performance for Sweden against England in Stockholm was remarkable.
His fourth goal was just ridiculous. You try to recall what you’ve seen over the years and I can’t think of a better one.
His thought process as well as the technique amazed me. When your team is winning 3-2 in the closing seconds, a lot of players would have just brought that ball down and kept possession.
But he knew exactly what he was going to do with it. He knew he had to loop it over as there were defenders between him and the goal.
The way he volleyed in the second was also special. Ibrahimovic has had a lot of different clubs which suggests he’s not the easiest person to get along with. But his list of honours is very impressive.
I was in Ukraine for Euro 2012 and he was exceptional for Sweden. His movement is so good and every time he gets the ball you think something is going to happen.
Ibrahimovic’s heroics aside, it was also a special night for Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.
To get to 100 caps is a great achievement for Steven and I’m delighted for him. As for Sterling, making his England debut will have been an education for him.
He’s nowhere near the finished article but he has so much potential and what Raheem gives Liverpool and England fans is hope.
