A stunning double from captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Sweden a 2-2 draw away to Denmark as they qualified for Euro 2016 last night by 4-3 on aggregate against their Scandinavian rivals.

The Swedes were joined by Ukraine who grabbed a nervy 1-1 draw in Slovenia to go through 3-1 on aggregate.

In Copenhagen, Ibrahimovic silenced the home fans in the 19th minute when he ghosted out to meet Kim Kallstrom’s corner, twisting athletically to sweep the ball past flat-footed goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Then he punished the Danes for their failure to create chances with a beautiful curling free-kick in the 76th minute to send the Swedes closer to a place in France next year.

Late goals by Yussuf Poulsen and Jannik Vestergaard provided some comfort for the home fans.

With Denmark coach Morten Olsen making four changes from the team that started Saturday’s 2-1 defeat in Stockholm, the Danes looked much more muscular in midfield, but the final ball was poor.

Striker Nicklas Bendtner had a game to forget in his home town, and was widely booed when he was replaced by Morten Rasmussen.

Denmark had overrun the Swedes in the opening exchanges and should have broken the deadlock in the eighth minute, but Poulsen, Daniel Agger and Thomas Delaney all failed to find the net in quick succession.

Ibrahimovic eschewed his usual array of flicks and tricks in favour of hard defensive work, inspiring his side to cover every blade of grass on the Parken pitch.

It was an effort that paid off handsomely, thanks to the striker’s double, and the Swedish fans ended their evening by singing the national anthem on a drizzly Danish night, no doubt dreaming of the warmer climes of France next year.

In the other match, forward Andriy Yarmolenko scored in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time for Ukraine to cancel out Slovenia captain Bostjan Cesar’s early opener for the home side.

Shortly before Yarmolenko’s goal, which sealed the tie, Slovenia Miso Brecko sent off for a reckless challenge on Yevhen Konoplaynka.

The outcome was also sweet revenge for Ukraine after they suffered a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Slovenia in the Euro 2000 playoffs, when the former Yugoslav republic reached their first major tournament as an independent nation.

The Slovenians piled on the pressure from the start and Cesar converted their first chance, heading in from close-range after some poor defending by Ukraine.

Handanovic heroics

Goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov failed to deal with a teasing cross by Valter Birsa and after a visiting defender blocked Milivoje Novakovic’s effort, the ball fell kindly for Cesar.

Samir Handanovic produced a pair of good saves either side of the goal, keeping out a swerving Yevhen Konoplyanka free-kick before parrying a shot by Yevhen Seleznyov.

Slovenia came close to levelling the tie on aggregate when midfielder Nejc Pecnik’s fierce shot cannoned off a static Pyatov shortly before half-time.

The visitors were nearly punished, when Cesar was left unmarked for a free header which Pyatov somehow kept out.

Ukraine then survived a Slovenia onslaught as substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic had a shot blocked.

Following Brecko’s dismissal, Kevin Kampl slipped and lost possession in the centre circle allowing three Ukrainian players to race clear and leaving Yarmolenko with a simple tap-in.

Second legs

Played yesterday

Denmark vs Sweden - 2-2 (Sweden through 4-3 on aggregate)
Slovenia vs Ukraine - 1-1 (Ukraine win 3-1 on aggregate)

Played on Monday
Ireland vs Bosnia - 2-0 (Ireland through 3-1on aggregate)

Played on Sunday
Hungary vs Norway - 2-1 (Hungary through 3-1 on aggregate)