FIFA World Cup Play-Off: Portugal v Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists Sweden's FIFA World Cup play-off against Portugal is not just about himself and Cristiano Ronaldo.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/khv4uHfMnUDpSs2QUFLePh.jpg)
The pair have scored 39 goals between them in all club competitions this season and are undoubtedly the headline acts for the match, but the Sweden captain is focused on securing his nation's place in Brazil 2014.
Ibrahimovic has netted 14 of goals in his last eight matches for club and country, with the 32-year-old in understandably buoyant mood ahead of Friday's first leg in Lisbon.
"I feel good, what matters is what I think of myself. I progress all the time and although I have 32 years, I've never played better than now," the Paris Saint-Germain striker said.
"(But) it's Sweden against Portugal, do not focus on two players.
"What matters is the collective, and to succeed we all need to do well."
The visitors, who host the second leg on November 19, will take confidence from their record against Portugal, having lost only three of their previous 15 meetings, but will be keen to break a run of three draws against them.
Ronaldo will be key for Portugal as they look to qualify for their third-consecutive World Cup, but they have never beaten Sweden at home in seven attempts.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Erik Hamren's men suffered a 5-3 reverse against Group C winners Germany in their final round-robin clash, while Portugal are on a seven-game unbeaten run in their qualification campaign.
Portugal's only defeat in Group F was against eventual winners Russia, with Fabio Capello's men finishing a point clear to claim the automatic qualification spot.
Midfielder Miguel Veloso is the only new concern for coach Paulo Bento after he finished training with a sore left knee.
Fabio Coentrao (ankle) and Joao Pereira (thigh) were injury doubts when the squad was announced, while William Carvalho would collect his first cap if used.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack