Sweden will vie with Portugal for the Under-21 European Championship after former Manchester City striker John Guidetti helped inspire victory against Denmark.

After seven years and a clutch of loans, the 23-year-old was let go by Manuel Pellegrini’s side after failing to make sufficient progress at the Etihad Stadium.

Guidetti said he was worth less than a cheeseburger following his release from City, but he has proved his worth in the Czech Republic, helping Sweden to a surprise place in tomorrow’s finale, scoring one and providing another as Denmark were overcome 4-1 in Prague.

The Group B runners-up started the semi-final on the back foot, but netted twice in quick succession in the first half through Guidetti’s penalty and a Simon Tibbling effort, set-up by the former City striker.

Denmark improved after half-time and Uffe Bech pulled one back, only for Sweden to end strongly and put the game out of sight through late efforts from Robin Quaison and Oscar Hiljemark, securing their first place in the final since 1992.

There were a number of empty seats at the Letna Stadium for the semi-final, which got off to an understandably tense start.

Denmark edged the early play and looked to have opened the scoring after 11 minutes, with Bech’s corner turned in at the near post by Yussuf Poulsen – an effort ruled out for handball.

Jannik Vestergaard dragged wide as the Danes pushed, only to be hit by a sucker punch after Alexander Scholz was adjudged to have bundled over Isaac Kiese Thelin, Guidetti sending Jakob Busk the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

Within three minutes things got even worse for Denmark as Kiese Thelin played in Guidetti, whose selfless pass to Tibbling was fired home.

Unsurprisingly, Sweden sat deep after taking the lead and welcomed on Denmark as half-time approached.

When play resumed there could have been a third had Kiese Thelin latched onto Oscar Lewicki’s header across, although Denmark grew into the game as the half progressed

They reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute when Bech flicked past Patrik Carlgren, while Vestergaard and Jonas Knudsen had efforts to draw level.

However, Sweden finished strongly and, shortly after Abdullah Khalili came close, substitute Quaison drove home seven minutes from time to settle the nerves.

To add to Denmark’s woes, Sweden captain Hiljemark wrapped up victory in stoppage time with an impressive strike across the face of goal.

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