<p>France qualified for the knockout stages of a major finals for the first time in six years here despite losing their final Euro 2012 Group D match 2-0 to already eliminated Sweden.<br /><br />A brilliant bicycle kick by Sweden's inspirational captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic yesterday in the 54th minute gave them the lead with the outstanding Sebastian Larsson adding a second in the final minute of normal time.<br /><br />It handed the Swedes not only their first points of the group stage but also their first win over France in almost 43 years dating back to October 1969.<br /><br />The French, who also saw their 23-match unbeaten run ended, progress in second place in the group after England beat co-hosts Ukraine 1-0 in the other game to finish top.<br /><br />France - who last reached the knockout stages of a major finals in the 2006 World Cup - will play champions Spain in the last eight.<br /><br />The Swedes should have gone ahead in the eighth minute as Ola Toivonen - who had replaced the injured Johan Elmander up front - was played onside and with only Hugo Lloris to beat. However, although he rounded the goalkeeper he found the angle too tight and his shot hit the post.<br /><br />The French pressed from the start of the second-half with Karim Benzema finding some space and curling the ball just past the far post.<br /><br />However, instead of sparking the French into some urgency it prompted the Swedes into their best period of play with Lloris pulling off one fine save in the 53rd minute.<br />A minute later he was unable to do anything about Ibrahimovic's stunning bicycle kick from Larsson's superb cross -- Ibrahimovic in typical celebratory style standing stock still and raising his hands pointing a finger of each hand at the sky.</p>
<p>France qualified for the knockout stages of a major finals for the first time in six years here despite losing their final Euro 2012 Group D match 2-0 to already eliminated Sweden.<br /><br />A brilliant bicycle kick by Sweden's inspirational captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic yesterday in the 54th minute gave them the lead with the outstanding Sebastian Larsson adding a second in the final minute of normal time.<br /><br />It handed the Swedes not only their first points of the group stage but also their first win over France in almost 43 years dating back to October 1969.<br /><br />The French, who also saw their 23-match unbeaten run ended, progress in second place in the group after England beat co-hosts Ukraine 1-0 in the other game to finish top.<br /><br />France - who last reached the knockout stages of a major finals in the 2006 World Cup - will play champions Spain in the last eight.<br /><br />The Swedes should have gone ahead in the eighth minute as Ola Toivonen - who had replaced the injured Johan Elmander up front - was played onside and with only Hugo Lloris to beat. However, although he rounded the goalkeeper he found the angle too tight and his shot hit the post.<br /><br />The French pressed from the start of the second-half with Karim Benzema finding some space and curling the ball just past the far post.<br /><br />However, instead of sparking the French into some urgency it prompted the Swedes into their best period of play with Lloris pulling off one fine save in the 53rd minute.<br />A minute later he was unable to do anything about Ibrahimovic's stunning bicycle kick from Larsson's superb cross -- Ibrahimovic in typical celebratory style standing stock still and raising his hands pointing a finger of each hand at the sky.</p>