Swedes take the gloss off stylish Italians

Italy 1 Sweden 1

The Portuguese authorities were well geared to counter any possible threat of menace from outside the stadium, they could hardly have anticipated the lifewire action that was provided within.

When the smell of cordite finally cleared into the night sky Sweden were left exultant, within touching distance of qualifying for the second phase. The Italians now walk a familiar tightrope.

It was tight, it was passionate, it was regularly uplifting as Italy turned on the style with a performance that was typically smooth and polished. The great sophisticates of the global game again set the standard, their royal blue uniform and silver trimmings exuded class in the manner of the fashion-houses of Milan.

Their football fitted the image as well for at least for 45 minutes as they cut their pretty patterns and expressed their artistic nature with a performance that greatly discomfited a struggling Sweden.

What elevated the game above the ordinary, however, was the manner of Sweden's second half come-back. They refused to be fazed by the swaggering style of Italy, applied themselves with typical courage and energy and deserved their 85th minute equaliser.

Now we await Tuesday's denouement and two contests brimming with possibilities. The Italians will surely overcome the hapless Bulgarians but they must plan without the suspended Cannavaro and Gattuso and they will be hoping the clash of Sweden and Denmark will produce a positive result.

How they must regret their failure to capitalise upon their first-half superiority and a fatal tendency to put more trust in their ability to defend a lead rather than committing to extending it.

There is little doubt but that Italy were the more uniformly balanced team. They were more attractive to watch but there are always elements to the Italian game that are calculated to raise your hackles, a cynicism for which you would love to hate them.

Gattuso hinted at the dark menace within when he exaggerated the effects of a mis-timed tackle by Ljungberg in the 37th minute. He lay prostrate for long seconds while Ljungberg laughed at his histrionics, then he rose, apparently unharmed, to wave an admonishing finger at the Arsenal winger. All the while the Swedish hordes roared their resentment from the stands.

While the principals played out this diverting little drama, the Italians quickly played the free. A rapid-fire exchange of passes led to Panucci clipping a left-footed cross precisely for Cassano to deflect a header wide of goalkeeper Isaksson from ten yards.

Gattuso played no direct part in the scoring move, but his influence was critical. The distraction cost Ljungberg invaluable seconds in getting close to Panucci who stepped inside his desperate lunge, then pulled away from Edman before plunging his dagger thrust to the heart of the defence.

Within two minutes a simmering feeling of umbrage at Gattuso's play-acting hardened into resentment when Gattuso went over the top to leave stud-marks on the shins of the pedantic Villa defender, Mellberg. Gattuso's little cameo was less than wholesome.

Totally admirable was Sweden's revival. Henrik Larsson dropped into midfield, the talented Ibrahimovic laboured with occasional inspiration; they donned their suits of armour and went to war. It was exhilarating.

Their equaliser arrived in the 85th minute. A corner from the right was kept in by Allback, Ljungberg was wrestled to the ground by Zambrotta as he tried to make contact, the ball bounced twice in a crowded goalmouth and Ibrahimovic jumped to heel the ball past goalkeeper Buffon and over the head of Vieri on the goal-line. It was no more than they deserved.

SWEDEN (4-4-2): Isaksson; Nilsson, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman (Allback 77); Wilhelmsson (Jonson 66), Linderoth, Svensson (Kallstrom 54), Ljungberg; Larsson, Ibrahimovic.

ITALY (4-4-2): Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Gattuso (Favalli 75), Pirlo, Cassano (Fiore 70), Perrotta; Vieri, Del Piero (Camoranesi 82).

Referee: Mr U. Meier (Switzerland).