07 June,2016 01:12 PM IST | | AFP
Coach Erik Hamren says forward Ibrahimovic is crucial for his team's chances in the European competition after Sweden's 3-0 friendly win over Wales
Stockholm (Sweden): Zlatan Ibrahimovic out-shone Gareth Bale as Sweden eased to a 3-0 victory over fellow European Championship qualifiers Wales in Stockholm on Sunday.
Erik Hamren
Though, Ibrahimovic did not get his name on the score sheet, he set up the opener for Emil Forsberg at the Friends Arena before Mikael Lustig and John Guidetti scored second-half goals.
Sweden coach Erik Hamren said he was delighted with his side's first victory in four games, especially coming just eight days before their Euro 2016 opener against the Republic of Ireland.
"It's a good win because Wales are a good team and I think they will do well at Euro 2016," said Hamren.
"Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) didn't score, and that is unusual because he always seems to score. "But he's important to the team and you saw that in the first goal. When we are under pressure and we play the long balls he can keep it."
Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) celebrates with teammates after a goal during the friendly match vs Wales in Stockholm on Sunday. Pic/AFP
It was a convincing display for Sweden ahead of Euro 2016 but Wales manager Chris Coleman has plenty to worry about with just one victory in seven games ahead of their first appearance at a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
Bale had missed the previous three friendlies, none of which Wales won, since the successful qualification campaign but started on the substitutes bench just eight days after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Crystal Palace's Jonny Williams partnered Aaron Ramsey and made a lively start behind sole striker Burnley's Sam Vokes, in for the injured Hal Robson-Kanu.
Coleman handed Andy King and David Vaughan a chance to impress in the absence of midfield duo Joe Allen and Joe Ledley.
