Eder Fires Azzurri Into Last 16
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Cavs down Warriors to force Game 7 SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016 SATURDAY, SportsSports 44 TOULOUSE: Italy’s forward Citadin Martins Eder celebrates scoring a goal with Italy’s midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Sweden at the Stadium Municipal. — AFP Eder fires Azzurri into last 16 TOULOUSE: Brazil-born striker Eder overcame an otherwise front of a huge army of yellow-clad Sweden fans. They were Parolo did well to control De Rossi’s pass and set up patchy performance to hit a cracking late winner in a 1-0 vic- given hope after just two minutes when Ibrahimovic rose to Candreva on the right, but the Lazio man’s drive into the area tory over Sweden that sent Italy into the last 16 of Euro 2016 meet a high cross, but Giorgio Chiellini cleared with his head. was collected by Isaksson, who got down quickly to smother yesterday. Eder, playing in his first major finals for Italy after It was one of few real chances for Erik Hamren’s men in a moments later after another Candreva delivery. On that occa- being naturalized last year, came close to being substituted tight first half that saw Italy strikers Pelle and Eder fail to shine sion, Eder was well out of position but it was Pelle who was by Antonio Conte after a dismal opening half up front along- on their few real forays up the park. Italy’s formidable three- replaced on the hour, by Simone Zaza. side Southampton striker Graziano Pelle. man defense meant Gianluigi Buffon had little to do until he Minutes later, Florenzi’s high delivery across goal found But the Inter Milan striker had the Italy bench celebrating dived to collect Kim Kallstrom’s curling shot, and the Juventus Candreva at the back post, yet Isaksson again got down low to wildly on the pitch at the Stadium de Toulouse with a well- ‘keeper was happy to see Olsson’s drive whistle past the post smother the Lazio man’s low first-time effort. Italian hopes taken 88th minute strike after running on to Simone Zaza’s soon after. looked to be dying out and the Azzurri breathed a sigh of relief header to beat Andreas Eriksson at his far post. Italy, 2-0 win- When Daniele De Rossi fouled Ibrahimovic in midfield, the when Ibrahimovic fired over from a yard out at the back post ners over Belgium last week, now top Group E with six points, striker got his head to Kallstrom’s 40-yard free kick but he was although he was ruled offside. Candreva was called into once leaving Sweden, who had late claims for a penalty waved flagged offside. The Azzurri broke the monotony when again soon after connecting a thumping header from Emanuele away, realistically needing to beat Belgium on Wednesday if Candreva collected Florenzi’s cross-field ball to fire in an invit- Giaccherini’s high-cross but was denied by the top post. they are to have any hope of making it to the knockout phase. ing cross, but Erik Johansson was quick to intercept. Parolo raised Italian hopes on 82 minutes with a header that came off the woodwork. But it was Eder who rescued Cautious Italy Half chances Conte’s men with a fine run that took him past the Swedish After a mediocre display in Sweden’s 1-1 draw with the At the other end Sweden edged closer, Sebastian Larsson defense to fire the ball into the net with two minutes to play. Republic of Ireland, all eyes were on captain Zlatan chesting a long cross into the path of Celta Vigo’s John Having already qualified for the next round, Italy can now Ibrahimovic as the towering striker sought to make his mark Guidetti only for the striker to skew wide. Italy started the sec- rest key players against Ireland on Wednesday while by becoming the first man to score in four editions of the ond half in positive fashion, Pelle controlling Eder’s cutback Sweden will hope to at least get a shot on target against competition. But a cautious Italy restricted the former from a Marco Parolo through ball, but his volley dipped over Belgium, something they haven’t managed to do in two Juventus and Paris Saint Germain striker to few real chances in the crossbar. consecutive games. — AFP .