Sweden see off Montenegro

Sweden moved three points clear of Montenegro at the top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 6 as a Denni Avdic penalty and a late Rasmus Jönsson strike won the day in Halmstad.

Bosnian-born IF Elfsborg striker Avdic hit the side netting within five minutes of kick-off, and while Admir Adrović hit the bar for the visitors shortly afterwards, the writing seemed to be on the wall in the 33rd minute as Montenegro defender Stefan Savić was dismissed for a foul on Jönsson in the area, with Avdic stepping up to convert the resulting penalty.

Avdic threatened more after the break, and had a shot cleared off the line 20 minutes from time, four minutes after team-mate Jiloan Hamad had hit the bar. Fatoš Bećiraj also struck the woodwork for Montenegro, but their evening was to end in disappointment as Albin Ekdal set up Jönsson to beat Vlado Giljen in the visitors' goal late on.

Tommy Söderberg's Sweden host Israel in their next qualifier on 3 September, with Montenegro visiting Motti Iwanir's side four days later.