World class’ Ibrahimovic earns warm tribute after upstaging Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard paid tribute to “world class” Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Sweden striker destroyed England in Stockholm.

 Gerrard was well and truly upstaged on his 100th international appearance, Ibrahimovic netting all four home goals in a 4-2 win which was Roy Hodgson’s first in 90 minutes as England boss.

 The Swede’s final goal was a stunning 25-yard scissors-kick, fired into an empty net from Joe Hart’s poor clearance and called “a master work” by Hodgson. Gerrard said: “He just scored one of the best goals I’ve seen live.

 “I still stick by Zinedine Zidane, he was the best player in the world and the best player of his generation, but Ibrahimovic’s performance was world class.

 “I congratulated him after that. He said some nice things about me before the game which was really nice. If I could return the compliment I would say that was one of the best individual performances I have seen. He is not everyone’s cup of tea but he is certainly mine.”

Gerrard saw plenty of positives on a night when six players made their debuts, and England were in charge at 2-1 before Hodgson made a spate of planned second-half substitutions.

The captain said: “When you make more than three substitutions it does spoil the game. The manager is under pressure from other managers and he is respecting those mangers.

“We were comfortable until we made changes. There were a lot of positives from our point of view, a lot of young players playing their first games and we can take a lot from this.

“All eyes were on me and there was extra pressure and excitement. Now I am glad it is out of the way and I focus on getting us to the next World Cup. That is the big challenge.”

You might also like
Latest news
14 martyrs, a number of wounded in the occupation's bombing of Gaza Strip A Lebanese Army Soldier and Five Civilians Martyred in Israeli occupation Airstrikes Venezuela Rejects U.S. Recognition of Edmundo González as President-Elect Al-Dahhak: The continuous US-backed Israeli crimes pose serious threat to regional and international... Omani Embassy in Damascus holds reception on the 54th anniversary of Oman's National Day  Kharita at "COP 29": The need to increase funding for countries to fulfill their obligations Palestinian Health Ministry: Israeli occupation killed 1,000 Palestinian doctors, nurses during its ... Pushilin calls for enhancing cooperation between the Donetsk Republic and Syria Pakistani plane, carrying aid for displaced people coming from Lebanon, arrives at Damascus Airport Sabbagh, Araqchi hold a press Conference in Tehran Slovak PM: US approval of strikes against Russia undermines peace efforts The mayor of Kafarnan in Homs countryside martyred in explosive device attack UN rapporteur: “Israel” is committing genocide in Gaza Strip Palestinian NGOs warn of the collapse of humanitarian system in Gaza Strip Two young men martyred, others detained in occupied West Bank Syrian students in Cuba participate in celebrating the foundation anniversary of the Latin American ... Sabbagh in Tehran for talks on developments in the region, bilateral relations Al-Dahhak: Israel's possession of weapons of mass destruction requires the establishment of Middle E... The Lebanese resistance shoots down an Israeli enemy drone and targets Kiryat Shmona