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Sweden v Slovakia: What the stats say ahead Euro 2020 tie

This will be the first meeting between Sweden and Slovakia at a major tournament (European Championship + World Cup).

Slovakia have never beaten Sweden in their five previous encounters (D3 L2), with their last four games never producing more than two goals.

Slovakia have won two games in total at the European Championships – one against Russia in 2016 and another against Poland last time out, which took place in Russia; their match against Sweden will also be held in Russia.

Following their 2-1 victory against Poland on MD1, Slovakia will be looking to win their opening two games at a major tournament (European Championship + World Cup) for the first time.

Sweden have failed to score in three consecutive matches at the EUROs – their final two group games in 2016 and their opening match against Spain last time out. They had only failed to score three times in their previous 18 games at the tournament before this.

Slovakia come into this game on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W2 D4), last going longer without defeat between October 2015 – June 2016 (a run of eight).

Sweden have lost their second group stage match at each of their last four major tournaments – versus Spain at EURO 2008, England at EURO 2012, Italy at EURO 2016 and Germany at the 2018 World Cup.

Milan Skriniar, who netted Slovakia’s winner in their group opener against Poland, has scored three goals in his last four appearances for his national side, having failed to net in his first 37 international games.

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Sweden’s Seb Larsson made six interceptions last time out against Spain – the only Swede to have made more interceptions in a single match at the EUROs is Roland Nilsson, who made seven against Germany in 1992. Aged 36, Larsson was the oldest player since Lothar Matthäus against Portugal in 2000 to make as many as six interceptions in a single game at the tournament (six aged 39).

As well as scoring the game-winning goal, Slovakia’s Milan Skriniar also led all teammates for touches (69), clearances (10) and blocks (two) in their MD1 victory over Poland.

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