Italy have edged out Sweden in a 1-0 win to seal their spot in the knock-out stage.
In what was a lacklustre game in front of goal for both sides, Eder seized the initiative with minutes remaining to secure victory for the Azzurri.
Sweden showed plenty of intensity early as they delivered two crosses into the Italy box after just two minutes. Italy’s defence doing enough to clear the danger.
In attack, the Azzurri were fairly quiet as the Swedes dominated play going forward. Despite being on the front foot, Sweden rarely troubled the Italy goal with Isaksson arguably doing more up the other end to intercept a handful of well placed Italian crosses.
No real efforts of merit ultimately though in a tight first half that Sweden would’ve walked away from the happier.
It was much the same after the break with the game becoming a battle of defense. Sweden fatiguing somewhat in attack as Italy seized the initiative to march forward.
The Azzurri’s first goal scorer of the tournament Emanuele Giaccherini, was found at the top of the Sweden box on 61 minutes but was pounced upon by Kim Kallstrom and robbed of any chance to take a shot and add to his tally.
Up the other end 10 minutes later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a shot from right in front at the far post but was saved some blushes with the offside flag raised. Sweden able to deliver a ball across goal to their offside captain at the far post who fired high from a metre out.
Both sides turned to their substitutes in the final ten minutes to try and break the deadlock, something Italy went very close to doing with 82 minutes played. Giaccherini crossing to find Marco Parolo at the far post whose header hit the crossbar and went out.
Italy were looking the more likely of grabbing a late goal and did just that on 88 minutes. Eder darting towards goal following a throw-in, beating a defender for pace on the edge of the box and firing low, to the right of goal to beat Isaksson.
It was a desperation finish in the end as Sweden got a ball into the box with the last kick of the game, only for Italy to outmuscle them for the ball with a penalty appeal waved away.
Italy leaving it late to make it two wins from two games at Euro 2016 and book their place in the knockout stage. For Sweden, they’ll likely need to beat Belgium in their last group game to progress.
Final Score:
Italy 1
Sweden 0
It’s the Azzurri up against Ibrahimovic and co. as Italy and Sweden face off in a Group E clash at Euro 2016. Join us on The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for all of the action.
Italy announced their arrival at Euro 2016 with an emphatic and surprise 2-0 win over Belgium in their opening game, as Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle scored while the Azzuri outshone Belgium.
It was a convincing display in which the Italians were able to nullify the Belgian attack while countering with real menace themselves. If they can pick up where they left off on Tuesday expect them to go far in this tournament and cause a real headache for Sweden tonight if they can’t steady themselves after a shaky start.
The Swedes salvaged a draw against Ireland in their opener, thanks to a late own goal forced by captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Having conceded straight after halftime and edging possession yet not having a single shot on target, it was a less-than-convincing display. The Swedes need to do a lot better if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage alive.
With a game still to play against Belgium, Sweden really need something from this game to progress.
On paper and form, Italy are clear favourites. On an 11 competitive-game unbeaten run that stretches back to June 2014, Italy haven’t lost to Sweden in their last three encounters; winning three and drawing one. It’s not looking so bright for Sweden, who have only won three of their last 15 Euro games, and left it late to secure their spot at this tournament.
Will Italy build upon an impressive start or can Sweden switch on to cause the Azzurri trouble? Join The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for all the action.
Gentile
Guest
Italia 90, when you could still backpass, Italy kept thinking 1 nil was enough and they paid the price v Argentina. This is when italian teams were utterly dominating Europe with teams that were 75% italian. That was the world cup that got away. 1994 they had squeaked in the 2nd round (all 4 teams in the group had 4 points) and waited till last minute to equalise against Nigeria and against the run of play scored the winner v Spain. So I think they underachieved in those years as they didnt even qualify for euro 92. The 1994 final, italy were unlucky as they had one less day of rest than Brazil and also had to fly 3000km to new york to LA as well (while Brazil were based in LA).
Johnno
Guest
Gentile, both games in 90's Italia 90 and USA 94, both games they didn't lose to Argentina or Brazil, they lost on Penalties. So both games went to extra time. In 240 minutes of soccer, only 1 goal was scored vs them Argentina in 90. South Korea Italy were robbed if you ask me, and they lost fair and square to Uruguay (in a south american world cup mind you, and Uruguay play a similar game to Italy one of the most grinding suffocating teams in the World, and it's no surprise 42% of Uruguyans have Italian heritage so they play dirty and grinding in there soccer culture, Argentina the same very dirty. Messi is Italian heritage).
Gentile
Guest
Playing this way has often backfired on Italy too, v Argentina 1990 world cup, v Brazil 1994 v France 1998, sth korea v 2002, v Uruguay 2014. It was more frustrating when they played like that in the 90s when they had magnificent midfielders Baggio, Zola, Albertini and decent strikers.
dfg
Guest
Some people don't like it. but to me it's beautiful.
Johnno
Guest
Agreed, they have the better of Germany too would you believe. The one team the German machine has failed to break down in tournament football "Italy". There the Germans achillies heel. Germany has never beaten Italy at a Euros or World Cup.
dfg
Guest
Like a cat. Patience, then strike.
Johnno
Guest
Italy always do this. They grind away and plat ugly football all game, and at the death somehow get a win. It happens all the time. Remember 2006 vs socceroos, they just find a way to win somehow and always in a dismal pattern. They play awful grinding suffocating football, a wall defence that's that's like fort knox to break down, then at the death in a moment of brilliance or good play they get ya. It's boring, but effective. Remember uSA 94, that was a 0-0 final, Italy again. An attacking Brazil side couldn't score 1 goal in 120minutes. They just grind and and grind Italy.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Nobody does tournament football like Italy.
dfg
Guest
Italy does it again. Playing smart and remaining sharp and explosive when a chance presents itself. And having the quality to finish.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
Fulltime Italy with a late goal to secure the win. Neither side all that impressive but it was Italy who have done enough to claim another three points and seal their spot in the knockout stage. Italy 1 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+4' Sweden get a ball into the box and two Sweden men go down in attempts to get to the ball. Penalty appeals look to be rightly turned down the referee. Italy 1 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+3' Buffon shown a yellow card for time wasting. Italy 1 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+2' Sweden give away the foul in attack and that could well be it. Italy 1 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90' Candreva goes for goal at the near post allowing Isaksson to save and force a corner. Three minutes of added time to come. Italy 1 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
Goal- Italy (Eder 88') Eder darts towards goal following a throw in with real purpose and after beating his man on the edge of the box buries it past Isaksson superbly to the bottom right of goal. Italy 1 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
87' Italy looking the more likely of the two to find a late goal with Sweden seemingly tiring out in this second half. Italy 0 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
85' Florenzi replaced by Sturaro for Italy, Guidetti replaced by Berg for Sweden. Italy 0 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
82' Parolo hits the crossbar with a header at the far post for Italy. Beautiful cross by Giaccherini. Italy 0 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
80' Durmaz shoots low and just wide of the right post from range for Sweden. Italy 0 Sweden 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
79' Forsberg and Ekdal of Sweden replaced by Lewicki and Durmaz respectively. Italy 0 Sweden 0