Hamren backs Ibra to outshine Ronaldo

Sweden coach Erik Hamren says striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic can win his personal duel with Cristiano Ronaldo and see them through their World Cup play-off with Portugal, which kicks off in Lisbon tonight (Estadio da Luz, 7.45pm).

The two teams meet in for the opening leg tonight before the return match at Stockholm’s Nationalarenan next Tuesday to decide who will progress to Brazil next summer.

Much has been made of the meeting between two of world football’s biggest stars: Paris St Germain star Ibrahimovic and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Both have been in sublime form so far this season and the tie could rest on which of them proves most accurate in front of goal.