Ten great EURO moments: Ibrahimović's volley

The game: Sweden 2-0 France, 2012 group stage
The date: 19 June 2012
The location: NSK Olimpiyskyi Stadium, Kyiv
The protagonist: Zlatan Ibrahimović

What made it special?
The face of Swedish football for more than a decade, Ibrahimović made sure his side – and its thousands of loyal travelling fans – exited UEFA EURO 2012 in a blaze of glory. A cross from the right reached the striker just inside the French penalty area; Ibrahimović leapt to connect and twisted, timing his flying volley perfectly to send it into the corner of Hugo Lloris's net. Combining skill, athleticism and power, the goal was as Zlatanesque as they come.

What did it mean?
Sweden went into the match knowing it was their last at the finals having taken the lead in their first two games, only to lose out to co-hosts Ukraine and then England. Ibrahimović's goal – and a late second for Sebastian Larsson – ensured Erik Hamrén's side went out on a high. France, meanwhile, missed out on top spot in Group D. Their coach Laurent Blanc said: "Sweden put everything into the game, they were better prepared physically and they have a player [Ibrahimović] who can make the difference."

• Looking back at UEFA EURO 2012
• Stars of UEFA EURO 2016: Zlatan Ibrahimović

How Ibrahimović remembers it …
"I got a fantastic cross from Seb [Larsson] and just turned to try to shoot. It was a fantastic feeling – impossible to describe. You try to score all the time – but getting to score a goal as nice as that was an extra bonus."

Erik Hamrén, Sweden manager
"It was great for our self-respect and for all of our fabulous fans to finish on a positive note."

What the media said
"It's a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal, a dream goal – once again by Zlatan Ibrahimović!"
Lasse Granqvist, Radio Sweden commentator