Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted four goals as Sweden came from behind to claim a 4-2 victory over England in Stockholm.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring in Sweden's brand new Friends Arena after 20 minutes. The goal came from a quick counterattack after Sterling was caught in possession just inside the Sweden half. Mathias Ranegi then drove forward and found Martin Olsson on the left who crossed for Ibrahimovic inside the area. Ibrahimovic's initial shot was blocked but the Paris Saint-Germain striker was first to react, poking past Joe Hart and into the roof of the net for the first goal in the new stadium.
After a lacklustre start the visitors slowly came to life and equalised 10 minutes before the break. Sterling began the move with a great ball out wide to Ashley Young.
The Manchester United winger's cross into the box was inviting and duly stabbed home first time by Danny Welbeck - the striker's fifth shot on target for his country and, impressively, his fifth goal.
And just three minutes later the visitors were ahead. Again Sterling was involved, drawing a foul on the edge of the area.
Up stepped captain Gerrard with another fine delivery, who swung a ball into the far post where Caulker was on hand to side foot home from close range under pressure from two defenders for a debut goal and a half-time lead.
England continued where they had left off after the break with Young inches away from a third goal and there were even more reason for visiting fans to cheer on the hour mark when Jack Wilshere made his long-awaited return to international football.
The Arsenal midfielder's arrival was swiftly followed by Carl Jenkinson, Tom Huddlestone and Ryan Shawcross yet the substitutions appeared to have disrupted England with Ibrahimovic equalising within minutes of the trio's arrival.
A simple pass from substitute Anders Svensson found the striker unmarked in the box and he struck a sweet volley past Hart to level the scores with his 37th international goal.
Ibrahimovic was not finished there. With just five minutes remaining, Sweden were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out. There was never any question over who was going to take the kick, Ibrahimovic duly stepped up and fired it low, and past Hart into the corner of the goal for his hat trick.
With 90 minutes on the clock, a weak-clearing header by Hart fell to the striker who grabbed his fourth of the night in unforgettable style with an overhead kick from more than 30 yards.
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring in Sweden's brand new Friends Arena after 20 minutes. The goal came from a quick counterattack after Sterling was caught in possession just inside the Sweden half. Mathias Ranegi then drove forward and found Martin Olsson on the left who crossed for Ibrahimovic inside the area. Ibrahimovic's initial shot was blocked but the Paris Saint-Germain striker was first to react, poking past Joe Hart and into the roof of the net for the first goal in the new stadium.
After a lacklustre start the visitors slowly came to life and equalised 10 minutes before the break. Sterling began the move with a great ball out wide to Ashley Young.
The Manchester United winger's cross into the box was inviting and duly stabbed home first time by Danny Welbeck - the striker's fifth shot on target for his country and, impressively, his fifth goal.
And just three minutes later the visitors were ahead. Again Sterling was involved, drawing a foul on the edge of the area.
Up stepped captain Gerrard with another fine delivery, who swung a ball into the far post where Caulker was on hand to side foot home from close range under pressure from two defenders for a debut goal and a half-time lead.
England continued where they had left off after the break with Young inches away from a third goal and there were even more reason for visiting fans to cheer on the hour mark when Jack Wilshere made his long-awaited return to international football.
The Arsenal midfielder's arrival was swiftly followed by Carl Jenkinson, Tom Huddlestone and Ryan Shawcross yet the substitutions appeared to have disrupted England with Ibrahimovic equalising within minutes of the trio's arrival.
A simple pass from substitute Anders Svensson found the striker unmarked in the box and he struck a sweet volley past Hart to level the scores with his 37th international goal.
Ibrahimovic was not finished there. With just five minutes remaining, Sweden were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out. There was never any question over who was going to take the kick, Ibrahimovic duly stepped up and fired it low, and past Hart into the corner of the goal for his hat trick.
With 90 minutes on the clock, a weak-clearing header by Hart fell to the striker who grabbed his fourth of the night in unforgettable style with an overhead kick from more than 30 yards.
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