A late goal from David Villa saw Spain overcome a resilient Swedish side 2-1 and qualify for the quarterfinals of Euro 2008. Fernando Torres had earlier given Spain the lead in the 15th minute, only for it to be cancelled out by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's strike twenty minutes later. The result means that Spain will top Group D, and will thus avoid the Netherlands in the last eight.

Sweden opted for Freddie Stoor and Johan Elmander to replace Niclas Alexandersson and Christian Wilhelmsson respectively. Spain started with the same team that tore Russia apart 4-1. Fernando Torres gave Spain the lead in the 15th minute, after David Silva had drilled the ball across the face of goal from a Xavi short corner. Seconds later, Spain nearly paid for not being aware of their surroundings at the back, but Johan Elmander wasted Henrik Larsson's pass by shooting into the side netting. Ten minutes later, Spain lost Carlos Puyol to injury, and the Barcelona skipper was replaced by Raul Albiol. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the equaliser from Freddie Stoor's cross a few minutes later. Although Ramos made an effort to contain him, the giant Inter Milan striker shook it off and his low shot went into the net, despite Casillas managing to get a hand to it.

Spain should have had a penalty on the stroke of half time, when David Silva was brought down by Elmander, but Dutch referee Pieter Vink ignored desperate Spanish pleas. Ibrahimovic was taken off at half time as a safety precaution for his knee, and Sweden were happy to sit at the back, and watch Spain attack. With Sweden refusing to come upfront, Spain were unable to play on the counter, and added to that, Isaksson was more than a match for their efforts on goal. But just when Sweden thought they had done enough, David Villa launched on to Joan Capdevila's long ball in the second minute of injury time,  and after getting past Petter Hansson, easily found a way past Andreas Isaksson. He later reportedly described the goal as more satisfying than any of the three he got against the Russians.

Sweden now play Russia, who eliminated defending champions Greece 1-0 in Salzburg. The winner of the match will take the second spot from Group D.