Euro 2016 Report: Italy 1 - 0 Sweden

The Municipal stadium in Toulouse was packed to the rafters for this Group E clash on Thursday afternoon. Sweden came into the game on the back of a fortunate 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, while Italy defeated Belgium 2-0 in their opening game.

Sweden made three changes to the side that drew with Ireland in Paris on Monday. Albin Ekdal started in place of Oscar Lewicki, John Guidetti took Marcus Bergs place upfront, while Erik Johansson replaced the injured Michael Lustig. Italy made one change, as Florenzi replaced Darmian.

The stage was set for an entertaining game, however, after Poland and Germany played out the first scoreless draw of the tournament last night, it looked as if Sweden and Italy might have been obliged to follow it up with another damp squid.

Inter Milan’s Eder had different plans when he popped up in the 88^th minute to score a fantastic individual effort which has put Sweden’s last sixteen hopes in doubt, while the Italians are the second team to confirm their place in the knockout stages.

The goal came from nothing, Giorgio Chiellini took a quick throw just inside the Sweden half, he found Zaza, who guided a header through to Eder, and the Brazilian born striker glided past Granqvist and then curled a scrumptious shot into the right hand corner of Iskassons goal.

The first half, and much of the second half were dour affairs. Sweden started the brighter without really threatening Gianluigi Buffon’s goal. Sweden held most of the possession in an otherwise forgettable first period.

The sides emerged unchanged after the break. The second half started brighter than the opener. Pelle had a chance on 49 minutes, a volley which he directed straight at the Swedish ‘keeper.

On the 73^rd minute, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be thanking his lucky stars that the linesman judged him to be offside. Larsson crossed the ball low to Zlatan, and from 3 yards out the Swedish striker blasted the ball over the bar. Offside but still slightly embarrassing for the former PSG man.

Erik Hamren rolled the dice when Jimmy Durmaz and Oscar Lewicki came on in the 79^th minute. Durmaz first involvement was to hit a shot off target just before a Parolo header hit the bar in the 82^nd minute.

Minutes later, Eder put the ‘Azzuri’ through to the knockout stages.

The Swedes had a penalty call denied in additional time after Granqvist was brought down in the box. However, the referee, Victor Kassasi shook his head and awarded Italy a free out. The game petered out and finished 1-0 to Italy.

The result is vital for Italy, but also for the Republic of Ireland and Belgium, Ireland are second in the group ahead of their clash with Belgium, who are last, in Bordeaux on Saturday. A win for the ‘Boys in Green’ against either Italy or Belgium will likely see Ireland advance to the second round of the competition for the very first time.

Meanwhile, it’s looking quite grim for Sweden. They have still failed to record a shot on target in their two Euro 2016 games. They face Belgium in their last game next Wednesday and nothing but a win will put them through.

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Florenzi (Sturaro 85), Parolo, De Rossi (Motta 73), Giaccherini, Candreva; Pelle (Zaza 60), Eder.

Subs not used: Marchetti, Sirigu, Darmian, Immobile, Ogbonna, El Shaarawy, Insigne, De Sciglio.

Booked: De Rossi (69), Buffon (90).

Sweden: Isaksson; E Johansson, Lindelof, Granqvist, M Olsson; S Larsson, Ekdal(Lewicki 79), Kallstrom, Forsberg(Durmaz 79); Guidetti (Berg 86), Ibrahimovic.

Subs not used: Lustig, Kujovic, Jansson, Wernbloom, Zengin, Hiljemark, Olsen, Augustinsson, Calgren.

Booked: Olsson (90)

Referee: Viktor Kassal (Hungary)

Attendance: 29,600

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Eder (Italy)