Sweden defender Olof Mellberg lamented the cheap goals that saw Sweden eliminated from Euro 2012 after two defeats in two games.
Mellberg scored Sweden’s second goal and saw his shot knocked into the net by Glen Johnson for the first as the Swedes suffered a 3-2 loss to England that leaves them with no hope of reaching the quarterfinals.
“A few really cheap goals” were to blame for the early exit, the former Aston Villa center-back said.
Sweden had managed to prevent opponents from carving out a lot of chances, but England and Ukraine, who beat Sweden 2-1 on Monday, had still made the Swedes pay, Mellberg said.
“Conceding five goals in these two games is really disappointing. Obviously without conceding too many chances.”
Sweden had upped their game since the defeat to Ukraine, and the scoreline against England was not a fair reflection of the game, Mellberg suggested.
“I felt we deserved more today. We did better compared to the first game against Ukraine.”
When Sweden play France on Tuesday, they can deny Laurent Blanc’s team qualification if they inflict a heavy defeat on the French.
England will face co-hosts Ukraine at the same time in the knowledge that a draw will be enough to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
