Swedes stun Azzuri with late equaliser

Italy 1 Sweden 1

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a stunning late equaliser to salvage a draw for Sweden against Italy in a thrilling battle at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto tonight.

It had all looked so good for Italy, without the suspended spitter Francesco Totti, earlier in the match.

A determined-looking Azurri were the dominant side, and deserved the lead they earned as Antonio Cassano flicked home a cross from Panucci on 37 minutes.

Italy dominated early in the second half.

With 57 minutes played, Jakobsson denied Italy their second goal of the evening after making a vital clearance off the line.

Vieri's long pass found Del Piero inside the area, and he audiciously scooped the ball over the defender and the goalkeeper, who was off his line, but his shot was cleared by the Brondby defender.

But Trapattoni began tinkering with his team, taking off goalscorer Cassano and the inspirational Gattuso.

The move backfired as Sweden got more into the game.

When Italy failed to clear a corner on 85 minutes, Ibrahimovic, with his back to goal, somehow flicked the ball over Gianluigi Buffon with the outside of his right heel to secure a draw.

The stalemate left Italy needing a win by two goals against Bulgaria in their final game to ensure qualification.

European Championships, Group C P W D L F A Pts

Sweden 2 1 1 0 6 1 4

Denmark 2 1 1 0 2 0 4

Italy 2 0 2 0 1 1 2

Bulgaria 2 0 0 2 0 7 0