Four-goal Ibrahimovic nets special strike to down England

First goal

Ibrahimovic scored the first goal at Sweden's new home when he fired home after 20 minutes at the second attempt from Martin Olsson's cross after Steven Caulker, one of six England debutants, blocked his first shot.

The ball ran kindly to the Swede who lashed it into the roof of Hart's net.

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after Sweden's 4-2 win in the friendly soccer match against England at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Nov 14, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

England equalised when Manchester United winger Ashley Young ghosted past Sebastian Larsson and his centre was turned in from close range by unmarked team mate Danny Welbeck after 35 minutes.

Three minutes later Gerrard created England's second when defender Caulker got on the end of his captain's free kick for a debut goal.

Roy Hodgson handed six players their international debuts but Gerrard's experience was much-needed in central midfield and he had a good match, going close to a goal on two occasions.

But with a famous comeback to 4-4 from 4-0 down against Germany fresh in the memory from October, Ibrahimovic rallied his troops and went on a second-half scoring spree to hand Hodgson his first 90-minute defeat in 12 matches as England coach.

His equaliser came as he chested down Anders Svensson's pass to fire past Hart and minutes later his thunderous free kick was deflected past the Manchester City goalkeeper to put Sweden 3-2 up.

Hart's misery was complete a minute into stoppage time as his header was spectacularly volleyed into the unguarded net by Ibrahimovic from outside the box to cap a man-of-the-match performance as Sweden scored three in the last 13 minutes.

As well as Caulker, Hodgson gave first caps to starters Leon Osman and 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, who became England's fifth youngest player of all time.

Ryan Shawcross, Carl Jenkinson and Wilfried Zaha all won their first caps late in the game as substitutes.

"I thought for 75 minutes we played very well when we had the more experienced players on the pitch," Hodgson said.

Sweden, second in 2014 World Cup qualifying Group C behind Germany, next host Ireland in a qualifier in March when England visit San Marino trying to seize back top spot in Group H after Montenegro beat the minnows 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the summit.