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Italy national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 17, 2016 at 2pm UK
 
Sweden national football team

1-0

Eder (88')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Italy 1-0 Sweden - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Italy's 1-0 victory over Sweden at Euro 2016.
2

Italy have booked their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2016 after prevailing from a low-key encounter with Sweden.

Chances were few and far between as defences dominated in Toulouse but with two minutes remaining, Eder netted with an excellent individual effort to earn his side their second successive win of the competition.

Sweden, on the other hand, must beat Belgium to remain in with a chance of progressing through to the last 16.

Read below to see how the action unfolded on Friday afternoon.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Euro 2016 fixture in Group E between Italy and Sweden.

We are already through a third of the fixtures at Euro 2016 - how is this possible?! Eighteen matches have been played during the first week of the tournament but few have been as evenly matched on paper as the one this afternoon involving Italy and Sweden. Given the manner of their performances in their opening match, you may wonder if that is still the case but Sweden need a reaction after their poor display against Republic of Ireland, meaning Zlatan Ibrahimovic versus the Italian defence should be one of the most intriguing battles of the competition so far.

This match is just the first of three that is taking place in France this afternoon. Both come in Group D with Croatia taking on Czech Republic at 5pm, BST with Spain facing Turkey this evening. Wins for both Croatian and Spain would take them through to the last 16. Keep an eye out for those fixtures later today.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two teams. Both coaches have decided to make alterations.

ITALY XI: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Giacherrini, Florenzi; Pelle, Eder

SWEDEN XI: Isaksson; Johansson, Lindelof, Granqvist, Olsson; Larsson, Ekdal, Kallstrom, Forsberg; Guidetti, Ibrahimovic

First of all, let's take a look at the Italian side with Antonio Conte choosing to replace Matteo Darmian with Alessandro Florenzi in his starting lineup. That's the only change made by the future Chelsea boss.

As for Sweden, there are three alterations from Monday's game with Republic of Ireland in Paris. As expected, Mikael Lustig misses out with the injury sustained in the opening match, with Erik Johansson coming into the side to take his place. There are also starts for John Guidetti and Albin Ekdal, who replace Marcus Berg and Oscar Lewicki respectively.

HEAD TO HEAD! This contest represents the 21st time that the two nations have met on the international stage, with Italy winning nine times compared to six victories for Sweden. However, Italy head into the match having gone four games unbeaten against Sweden, three of which have ended in narrow triumphs. However, the two teams haven't played each other since a friendly international which was staged in 2009.

We have still got just under 35 minutes to go until kickoff in Toulouse so why not head over to our dedicated Euro 2016 section? With the games coming thick and fast, you can catch up with all of the latest reaction from yesterday's game, as well as the build-up to the fixtures that are taking place over the next 48 hours.

There had been a slight doubt concerning Graziano Pelle ahead of this game but the Southampton frontman keeps his place in Italy's attack. The 30-year-old is known to score in fits and starts for the Premier League side but he is becoming increasingly important for his country with six goals being scored in 14 appearances. He had to leave his homeland to prove himself as a top-quality striker but he now sits ahead of the likes of Simone Zaza and Ciro Immobile in the national team pecking order.

The other goalscorer from Monday night - Emmanuele Giaccherini - has also been a man revitalised with regular first-team football. He struggled at Sunderland but a season playing 28 times for Bologna has helped the midfielder regain his touch and he is a major part of an Italian midfield that is built on solidity rather than flair. Whether he can score for the second game in succession remains to be seen but his influence in this Italian side has gone under the radar - as Belgium found out on Monday.

We are all aware of the talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic so let's take a look at his strike partner instead. John Guidetti was left out of the starting lineup against Republic of Ireland for the more experienced Marcus Berg but such was the 29-year-old's lack of involvement that it was a no-brainer to include Guidetti this afternoon. Despite making just 19 starts for Celta Vigo last season, he still managed 12 goals and he showed in the warm-up match against Wales that he is capable of putting the ball in the back of the net. Sweden are underdogs this afternoon but they must chase a result and with Guidetti in the side, they have a better chance of causing a surprise.

PERMUTATIONS! If Italy can emerge victorious in Toulouse, they will be assured of their place in the last 16 but they will still have work to do to guarantee top spot. As for Sweden, defeat will leave them hoping that the game between Belgium and Republic of Ireland ends in a draw so that they can try to get the better of Belgium in the remaining fixture.

PREDICTION! We can't 100% call this match but what we are predicting is a lack of goals. Sweden will be aware that they cannot afford to fall behind and that may lead to a cagey opening but eventually, they must throw men forward and that could leave Italy with the space to nick a 1-0 win.

The players are already lining up in the tunnel. They must be eager!

The players are bathed in sunshine in Toulouse. Quite a difference to the hail storms that were present during Northern Ireland's win over Ukraine yesterday.

The game is underway in Toulouse.

It's been a positive start from Sweden and only the highest quality of defensive headers from Chiellini denies Ibrahimovic giving his side the lead from a Kallstrom cross. It was incredible defending.

Italy are having plenty of possession in the middle of the park but the accuracy of their early crosses isn't to the same standard of what Kallstrom just delivered towards Ibrhaimovic. Conte's men have been warned.

Sweden win a free kick from around 45 yards out but on this occasion, Kallstrom's delivery is abysmal. I may have bigged him up too much! Italy are back in possession of the ball.

Italy have since sent in a couple of teasing balls into the six-yard area and Isaksson is having to remain alert to the danger that is coming his way. Italy are trying to get Pelle involved in the action but I don't think he has touched the ball yet.

SHOT! Italy are regarded as a strong defensive unit but it has to be said - they are looking very sharp in midfield. The ball is being sprayed about fluidly. Parolo just did well to set up an opportunity for Florenzi but his effort was half-blocked and Isaksson was able to make the easy save.

Guidetti and Ibrahimovic battle hard to win possession in the penalty area before Johansson is able to get a shot away but the referee calls a foul against the Swedish legend. Bit harsh that but you can understand why it was given.

We aren't getting many opportunities in this match - as I predicted - but it is far from cagey. Both teams are putting together some neat combinations as well as being uncompromising at the back. It might take a bit of magic to decide this contest.

Italy have spent the last few minutes defending their own penalty area but after finally getting back up the other end of the pitch, Candreva is able to whip in a delightful cross for Pelle but Isaksson does well to punch the ball clear.

We are a quarter of the way through this contest and it remains competitive. You have to wonder where this performance was when Sweden faced Republic of Ireland. We haven't seen much from Guidetti but Ibrahimovic seems to be combining better with a more agile strike partner.

That's a late one from De Rossi. The Roma man is deceived by the sharpness of Ibrahimovic and his studs make contact with the lower leg of the forward. From the resulting free kick, Ibrahimovic is found at the back post and heads marginally over the bar but he was ruled offside nonetheless.

The quality has started to go down a notch now. There are signs of frustration from both sides who are probably aware that chances are few and far between. The two coaches will be happy so far but something has to give sooner rather than later, doesn't it?

The stats people say that there have been 257 passes during this first half and one shot that was deflected into the hands of the keeper. Now you can see why I am struggling to keep this entertaining! Conte is up from the dugout. I don't think he is too impressed.

The attacking options off the bench are pretty limited as far as Sweden are concerned but Italy do have players that could influence this game. The likes of Insigne and El Shaarawy must be in contention to replace Eder, who has barely touched the ball.

SHOT! WE HAVE A SHOT! A long ball finds Larsson who provides the immediate knock-down for Guidetti but the Swedish forward decides enough is enough, takes the half-volley first time and realises it was a mistake after the ball swerves miles wide of the target. Still, let's be encouraged!

The Swedish contingent are making lots of noise in the stands. It's probably to keep themselves awake. Sarcasm aside, they have had the better of this first half but not by much. Expect changes from Conte at the break.

HALF TIME: Italy 0-0 Sweden

The referee takes pity on the fans and television viewers by blowing up for half time. There's not much to be said about that half of football aside from let's hope for better after the restart...

The two teams are back out for the second half. It doesn't look like there have been any changes, which I am surprised (disappointed) at.

Italy get us back underway.

SHOT! Well this is encouraging. Eder has finally made a mark in this game and set up Pelle for a volley from outside of the area. Unfortunately for Italy, his volley disappeared over the crossbar. Only by a couple of yards but it's enough.

Conte has definitely got into Italy at half time. Florenzi is the next to go close after the ball dropped for him inside the penalty area but a Swedish defender was able to get across to divert the ball away for a corner.

Sweden have responded with an attack of their own, which has come to nothing, but Guidetti has just roused his nation's supporters for more noise. They replied in kind.

More promising play from Italy ends with Candreva drilling a low cross into the six-yard area but it is well dealt with by Isaksson. He needs to be doing better in that position.

SUBSTITUTION! Conte decides enough is enough and makes his first substitution. It's a bit of a surprise too with Pelle being withdrawn for Simone Zaza.

There's more than a hint of offside but Italy break in numbers after Parolo gets the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty but he takes too much time and while is passing is heading for Zaza, a Swedish defender gets back to nick it off his boot.

Italy are pushing on now. Where was this in the first half? Florenzi surges down the left-hand side before floating the ball towards the far post but Candreva's volley is from an acute angle and Isaksson is able to gather.

Lindelof mounts a response from the right-back position and after muscling his way past two defenders, he wins a corner kick for his team. Kallstrom's set piece is a good one but Buffon is out to punch clear.

We are into the final 20 minutes in Toulouse. This second half has been better but we are still awaiting a clear-cut opening. Will it come? I'm not convinced.

Ibrahimovic misses a sitter! Fortunately for the forward, he is offside but he didn't know it at the time. Olsson's cross just evaded Larsson but it found Ibrahimovic, who blazed over from two yards. It's an incredible miss.

SUBSTITUTION! Conte makes his second change and turns to Thiago Motta, who has been thrown on to take the place of De Rossi.

Ten minutes to go in this one. Still more of the same. I wish I could tell you different. Jimmy Durmaz has just been introduced for Sweden but his token effort is tame and always curling wide.

WOODWORK! We nearly had a goal! We should have had one too. Giaccherini's inswinging cross finds Parolo at the back post but the midfielder can only head against the crossbar from eight yards. Isaksson was beaten.

Sweden are having to withstand a bit of pressure from Italy but they still believe that they can win this. Berg has just been thrown on in place of Guidetti, who got through a lot of chasing this afternoon without getting hold of the ball.

GOAL! Italy 1-0 Sweden (Eder)

Italy break the deadlock! A long throw from Chiellini is headed on by Zaza and Eder gratefully picks up possession. He drives into a central area before curling a terrific shot into the far bottom corner. Italy are closing in on the last 16.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

FULL TIME: Italy 1-0 Sweden

The full-time whistle goes in Toulouse and Italy have snatched a dramatic victory, one that they probably just about deserved. It was a very poor match but Eder's strike has guaranteed his team's place in the last 16.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. We hope that you managed to stay awake throughout the 90 minutes! Goodbye for now.

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Antonio Conte watches on during an Italy training session on May 25, 2016
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Group A

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Q Germany Germany32107
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Group B

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Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
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Group F

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