Swedish stroll keeps pressure on

Sweden consolidated second place in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 8 as they strolled to victory against Malta.

Easing to victory
Mikael Dahlberg opened the scoring in the eighth minute and not long after the half-hour Alexander Farnerud doubled the lead. An own goal early in the second period increased Malta's deficit and Dahlberg struck again eight minutes later. Substitute Jon Jönsson arrived on 63 minutes, scored five minutes later and grabbed a second late on.

Leaders lose
Croatia's loss in Bulgaria today means Sweden are now within three points of the leaders, though they remain ahead of Hungary only on head-to-head record. Sweden welcome Bulgaria on 2 September while Malta will look to add to their three-point tally in Iceland on Tuesday.