Italy became the second team after hosts France to advance into the next phase of the UEFA Euro 2016, as Eder’s brilliant solo goal in the 88th minute broke the Swedish deadlock in Toulouse as Italy went on to win the match 1-0.
Here are the 5 talking points of the game:
#1 A lacklustre first half
The first half belonged to no team in particular. Unlike general predictions, it was the Swedish who had more of the possession, moving the ball well and creating chances through their wingers. Kim Kallstrom was also bright in midfield.
Italy – on the other hand – were not up to scratch as they were in the impressive 2-0 victory over Belgium in the first game. Their defence was solid – playing a high line and catching the Swedes offside on a few occasions.
Neither goalkeeper, however, was forced to make a meaningful save in the opening 45 minutes. They kept themselves busy just by catching crosses coming from the wide areas. It was a scratchy first half, both teams determined not to give away the early goal.
#2 Italy’s defence one of the best in the tournament
Good teams are built on solid defences. Italy are a prime example of that, as a second successive clean sheet all but secured their path into the knockout stages. The back three of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci have developed a telepathic understanding between them.
It helps Antonio Conte’s case that the trio play for the same club (Juventus). They confidently dealt with each and every cross from the flanks and kept Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet. Their synchronizing movement across the penalty area to follow the path of the ball is a tactical plus – which doesn’t allow the opposition any space to exploit.
It was yet another fruitful day at the office for the back-line.
#3 Zlatan fails to shine
When your captain - the focal point of the team – fails to put his foot on the gas, it’s difficult to get that inspiration to win. Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic was well off his mark today. At times, he was found standing idle when Italy had possession in their own half, not finding it needful to press them down and put them under pressure.
Offensively, he failed to make his height and power do the talking, as the Italian defensive trio marshalled him with relative conviction. He missed an open goal midway through the second half, although the effort was ruled offside anyway.
He must do more and raise his game by a gear or two if he wants to lead his side to success in this tournament. The intensity was simply lacking from the 10-time Swedish Player of the Year awardee.
#4 Sebastian Larsson misses a glorious opportunity for Sweden
A dross game finally burst into life midway through the second half, as Sweden earned themselves a glorious opportunity to take the lead against the resilient Italians. A delightful cross from Martin Olsson from the left was whipped in across the box.
Sunderland striker Seb Larsson managed to get in between the Italian defence, but somehow failed to get a stud onto the ball. It then fell to Zlatan, who – almost unbelievably – skied his shot over the crossbar from 6 yards out.
He was flagged offside, so the goal wouldn’t have counted. But surely he should be hitting the target at least.
#5 Eder the hero the game was crying out for
An overall stop-start game was crying out loud for an individual to produce a moment of magic and shape the game in his side’s favour. Italy’s Eder raised his hand to step up a level and force a result when tactics discussed in the dressing room weren’t producing the desired outcome.
A throw-in by Chiellini was knocked down in the path of the Sampdoria player, who hurtled across a tiring Swedish defence – none of whom made an effort to close him down. He promptly found the space to fire past the goalkeeper to win it for Italy and send them into the next round of this edition of the Euros.
