Eder late goal sends Italy through to last 16

Italy are through to the last 16 of the European Championship finals after Eder struck late on to beat Sweden.

The game looked to be heading towards a dull goalless draw before Eder chased Giorgio Chiellini’s long throw to drive home from outside the box.

Sweden failed to produce a shot on goal for the second successive game, with captain and star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic kept quiet throughout.

Italy are top of Group E with six points while Sweden are third on one.

Prior to the tournament, Italy boss Antonio Conte had played down his side’s chances of success in France, citing an ageing squad and a lack of upcoming talent as reasons for fans to temper their expectations.

In their opening group game at Euro 2016, they caught they eye as they outfoxed tournament favourites Belgium with patient and well-organised football.

They found joy in that game by getting between the Belgian lines, quickly turning defence into attack against a side that – while packed with individual talent – looked disjointed.

Italy, though, had no such luck against a conservative Sweden side, who were content to sit deep.

For 88 minutes, the tactic worked but this Italy side is built upon a foundation of being defensively solid and clinical in attack.

That latter quality was illustrated when Eder made the most with what was only their second shot on target in the closing stages.

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