The Republic of Ireland scored an own goal as Sweden scraped a 1-1 draw in the Group E opener.
Jeff Hendrick forced the first save on the half-volley from the edge of the box, while a corner was knocked down for John O’Shea, who completely missed the ball when four yards out.
Sweden were utterly uninspired in the first half, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic only fired a meek free kick into the wall.
Straight after the restart, Hendrick unleashed another snapshot that ex-Juventus goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson beat away.
The Republic of Ireland scored an own goal as Sweden scraped a 1-1 draw in the Group E opener.
Jeff Hendrick forced the first save on the half-volley from the edge of the box, while a corner was knocked down for John O’Shea, who completely missed the ball when four yards out.
Sweden were utterly uninspired in the first half, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic only fired a meek free kick into the wall.
Straight after the restart, Hendrick unleashed another snapshot that ex-Juventus goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson beat away.
Ireland got their deserved opener when Coleman waltzed down the right for Wes Hoolahan to blasted a right-foot half-volley into the far top corner from 12 yards.
Moments later, Sweden wasted a golden opportunity to equaliser, as Emil Forsberg ballooned off target from another set play.
The Scandinavians were accidentally gifted an equaliser when Ibra pulled back from the by-line for Larsson, but Clark nodded into his own net while trying to anticipate his opponent.
Isaksson used his legs to parry a Hendrick angled drive, but Sweden looked more likely to win in the final stages.
Rep Ireland 1-1 Sweden
Hoolahan 48 (I), Clark og 71 (S)
Rep Ireland: Randolph; Coleman, O’Shea, Clark, Brady; McCarthy (McGeady 85), Whelan, Hendrick; Hoolahan (R Keane 78); Long, Walters (McClean 63)
Sweden: Isaksson; Lustig (E Johansson 46), Lindelof, Granqvist, Olsson; Larsson, Lewicki (Ekdal 85), Kallstrom, Forsberg; Berg (Guidetti 59), Ibrahimovic
Ref: Mazic (SRB)