Belgium defeated Sweden 1-0 to ensure Zlatan Ibrahimovic's side would exit Euro2016 at the group stage.
Radja Nainggolan's thumping strike with six minutes remaining separated the two sides in what was a tense affair in Nice.
With the knowledge that it was win or go home, Sweden begun with an energy that wasn't palatable in their first two group matches.
The Blagult should have opened the scoring when the ball fell fortunately to Marcus Berg from Kim Kallstrom's free kick, however the Panathianikos striker could only manage to direct his shot straight into Thibaut Courtois from 12 yards out.
When the dust settled, Belgium's plethora of quality in the midfield soon saw them taking a stranglehold on possession. Despite their dominance, the Red Devils were unable to produce any clear-cut chances after 45 minutes.
Romelu Lukaku failed to connect on several teasing crosses by Kevin De Bruyne and Thomas Meunier skimmed a header past the far post from another rasping cross by Manchester City's De Bruyne late in the half.
Similar to the first half, Sweden came out of the tunnel firing and immediately put Belgium on the back foot.
Ibrahimovic, who announced his retirement from international football yesterday, thought he had put his side in front when he flicked the ball over Courtois but was denied after the referee deemed his boot was too high.
The officials then denied Belgium when Lukaku made a bursting run and finish from the half way line, however he was correctly called for offside. Soon after, De Bruyne released a venomous strike to the near post of the Swedish goal but a strong hand by Andreas Isaksson denied the games opening goal.
With ten minutes remaining, Dries Mertens weaved through the Swedish defence but was denied a goal when Isaksson produced another fine save. At the other end, Andreas Granqvist's header was cleared off the line from a corner, which was symbolic of Sweden's diminishing hope.
After 84 minutes, Nainggolan picked up a Hazard cut-back and struck a rasping strike, which took a slight deflection before nestling in the far bottom corner of the Swedish goal. Christian Benteke had an opportunity to double the lead when he was left unmarked in the box however his shot was finely saved by Isaksson.
The match finished 1-0 to the Belgians as they advance to the Round of 16 where they will face Hungary in Toulouse on June 26.
As for the Swedes, it is the end of an era with the enigmatic Ibrahimovic retiring from international duty after making 115 appearances and scoring 62 goals for his country.
EURO2016 – Group E
Sweden: 0
Belgium: 1 (Radja Nainggolan 85')
Allianz Riviera, Nice
