Sweden deserves their place in Russia

Italy vs Sweden LIVE score: Latest from the World Cup play-off second leg

Italy take on Sweden as they look to avoid missing out on the World Cup for the first time in 60 years

By SunSport Reporters

13th November 2017, 9:33 pm

Updated: 13th November 2017, 9:34 pm

•  Sweden certainly deserve their place in Russia though. They performed brilliantly over both legs and defended with incredible composure this evening. Italy threw everything they had at them but, in the end, it just wasn't enough, leaving them in a state of disarray and confusion.
•  Sweden have done it! They've held on to book their place in next year's World Cup, meaning Italy have failed to reach the finals for the first time since 1958. Boos are ringing around the stadium as the Italy players collapse to the floor, and this is a night that will provoke a lot of serious soul-searching throughout the country.
•  FULL-TIME: ITALY 0-0 SWEDEN (0-1 ON AGG.)
• 90+5'Italy are presented with one final chance to push forward after a thumping cross-cum-shot from Florenzi is deflected behind for a corner. It initially fails to result in a chance on goal before the ball loops over to Chiellini, but the centre-back is flagged offside before he can spin and shoot. That should be that.
• 90+4'Unsurprisingly, Olsen takes his time with a goal-kick after another Italy attacking move fails to come to anything. Just a minute to go now for Sweden...
• 90+3'Thumping strike by Jorginho! Buffon comes up for a corner as time continues to run out for his side. A curling cross is only cleared as far as Jorginho, who shoots from 25 yards out and sends his half-volleyed effort just wide of the goal.
• 90+2'Immobile is absolutely furious with the referee after a decision doesn't go Italy's way, and he is shown a yellow card after screaming at the man in charge.
• 90+2'Italy lose the ball just outside of the Sweden penalty area and allow the visitors to counter-attack quickly, but Larsson is clattered into by Bernardeschi and receives a late yellow card.
• 90+1'More pleas for a penalty from the home side! Bonucci is playing as a centre-forward at the moment as Italy desperately push forward. He manages to latch onto a curling cross from Chiellini, and his glancing header seems to strike the hand of Granqvist after deflecting off the defender's thigh. The hosts scream for a penalty, but the referee waves away their protests.
• 90'The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time. Can Italy find a late goal to take the tie to extra-time?
• 89'Ball after ball is fired into the Sweden box as Italy desperately try to find a late goal, but they're unable to get a shot away and the visitors hold on. They then counter-attack quickly, and Berg wins a much-needed free-kick on the halfway line after being barged into by Barzagli.
• 88'And now Parolo goes close! Another decent cross penetrates the visitors' penalty area and picks out Parolo. The midfielder rises high and meets the ball well, but he can only send his downward header agonisingly past the far post.
• 87'Thumping strike by El Shaarawy! A deft cross is headed down by Immobile and sets up El Shaarawy to shoot, but the forward's rocket of an effort is brilliantly parried away by Olsen at the near post.
• 86'Belotti cuts inside from the right flank and manages to carve out a pocket of space for himself just outside of the Sweden box. He then gets a shot away, but it's poorly hit and rolls comfortably wide of the goal.
• 85'Another foul midway inside the Sweden half of the pitch results in a free-kick for the home side in a dangerous position. This time it's Bernardeschi who swings a cross into the penalty area, but it fails to find a blue shirt and is headed away at the far post.
• 83'Great opportunity for Parolo! Italy quickly regain possession and push forward once again. Florenzi swings a cross into the heart of the box that perfectly picks out Parolo, but the Lazio midfielder can't beat Olsen with his glancing header.
• 82'Jorginho is bundled over from behind and Italy are presented with a great opportunity to launch a free-kick into the penalty area. The cross is a poor one, however, and it's easily dealt with by Sweden once again.
• 80'Rare chance for Sweden! An Italy attacking move breaks down and the visitors quickly counter-attack. Forsberg cuts inside over on the left-hand side of the hosts' box and curls a cross over to the far post, where Berg cleverly nods it towards Thelin. The ball fails to find his strike partner but bounces back to Berg, who quicky shoots but fires his volley high over the top of the crossbar.
• 79'Belotti goes down inside the box, but again the referee waves away Italy's pleas! The striker receives the ball with his back to goal and immediately throws himself to the ground, but little contact was made and the referee rightly tells him to get back to his feet.
• 78'Bernardeschi is the latest player to scream down the left wing before crossing, but his off-balance pass next to the byline and is poorly hit and sails behind for a goal-kick.
• 77'Chiellini charges down the left flank on a marauding run before chipping a dangerous cross into the middle of the penalty area. It's only cleared as far as Florenzi, who immediately shoots but sends his thumping half-volley high over the crossbar.
• 76'Italy have made their third and final change, with Federico Bernardeschi coming on to take the place of Candreva.
• 75'Rohden catches Chiellini from behind with a clumsy challenge, and Italy are awarded a free-kick in a promising position out wide. The set-piece is curled into the heart of the box, where Granqvist is pushed to the ground by Belotti and quickly wins Sweden a free-kick of their own.
• 73'Italy aren't able to find a way through the sea of yellow shirts camped in front of them, forcing Jorginho into shooting from distance. The midfielder's effort isn't a particularly good one though, and it flies straight into Olsen's hands.
• 72'Claesson, who has put in an excellent shift this evening, looks absolutely shattered as he limps off the pitch to be replaced by Marcus Rohden.
• 70'A Florenzi cross fails to pick out a blue shirt, allowing Sweden to counter-attack quickly. They move the ball around confidently before Forsberg eventually shoots from just outside the box, but his effort is closed down well and can't test Buffon.
• 69'Thelin tries to get the better of Bonucci as the two battle for the ball on the halfway line, but the Swedish forward ends up catching the defender in the face with a flailing arm and receives a booking.
• 68'Groans ring around the stadium as the ball bounces harmlessly out for a Sweden goal-kick. Bonucci pushes into the visitors' half of the pitch and tries to pick out a team-mate inside the penalty area, but there's nobody there to meet his lofted pass and it's watched out of play by Olsen.
• 66'The ball hits the crossbar! The resulting free-kick is sent short down the left wing, where it finds Florenzi. The midfielder quickly fires a cross into the middle of the box and onto the head of Lustig, who ends up deflecting the ball onto the woodwork and behind for a corner.
• 65'The yellow card is out for the first time this half, and it's Lustig who has received one for a clumsy and mistimed challenge over on the left flank.
• 64'Immobile goes close! Candreva storms down the right wing before firing a great cross towards the near post, where it picks out Immobile. The striker sticks out a foot, but he isn't able to hit the target with his close-range effort.
• 63'And the second is Andrea Belotti, with Gabbiadini making way.
• 63'Italy have decided to make a double substitution as they desperately try to find a way back into the tie. The first player to come on is Stephan El Shaarawy, who replaces Darmian.
• 61'Italy win themselves a corner over on the right flank, and it's one that isn't fully dealt with by Olsen. The goalkeeper can only punch the ball away from goal and towards Candreva, who cuts inside and fires a deflected strike a few yards wide of the far post.
• 60'Italy lose the ball once again, allowing Sweden to break away on yet another counter-attack. This time it's Thelin who manages to penetrate the penalty area before shooting, but Chiellini does really well to close down the forward and block the effort.
• 59'Sweden are presented with a rare chance to counter-attack after an Italy attacking move breaks down. Berg charges down the right wing before cutting inside and chipping a pass into the box, but it's underhit and makes life easy for Barzagli.
• 58'Immobile drifts over to the right-hand side of the Sweden penalty area and picks up the ball in a promising position. He quickly cuts a pass back to Chiellini and sets up the defender to shoot, but his first-time strike is well blocked by Larsson and fails to trouble Olsen. 
• 56'Another looping cross is blasted into the visitors' box as Italy desperately try to carve out a chance on goal, but Gabbiadini is penalised for a push on Larsson and Sweden are able to hold on once again.
• 54'Sweden have made their second substitution of the game, with Isaac Thelin coming on to replace Ola Toivonen, who struggled to get into the contest.
• 53'Inches wide by Florenzi! A curling cross from Darmian flies towards the edge of the Sweden penalty area and picks out Florenzi in acres of space. The midfielder immediately unleashes a wonderfully struck volley, and it's one that bounces agonisingly wide of the far post.
• 51'Italy come back once again, this time through Chiellini over on the left wing. The defender charges forward before trying to pick out a team-mate in front of goal, but his cross is poor and sails straight into Olsen's hands.
• 49'The game gets underway once again with another Italy attacking move. Darmian tries to pick out Gabbiadini on the edge of the box but isn't able to do so, allowing Granqvist to comfortably clear the danger.
• 48'Darmian looks to be in a lot of discomfort after that clash with Lustig. He seemed to receive a knee to the ribs, leaving him in a heap on the floor and in serious pain. He should be able to continue though.
• 47'Early penalty shout for Italy! Candreva twists and turns over on the right-hand side of the Sweden penalty area before chipping a cross to Darmian. The defender brings the ball down before being clattered into by Lustig, but the referee waves away the penalty appeals and instead awards a free-kick to the visitors. Another big call!
• 46'We're underway once again!
•  The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
•  So far, so good for Sweden, who are sitting incredibly deep inside their own half of the pitch and are just about managing to keep a determined Italy side at bay. The hosts have looked much better than they did three days ago but have struggled to carve out too many chances on goal, with only Immobile going close to opening the scoring. They now have just 45 minutes left to find a way through...
•  HALF-TIME: ITALY 0-0 SWEDEN
• 45+3'Sweden push forward on a rare attack and manage to win themselves a free-kick midway inside the Italy half of the pitch. It's fired into the box and is only half cleared by Buffon, allowing Forsberg to fire in a low cross that the home side do well to clear.
• 45+2'Jorginho and Darmian link up well deep down the left flank before the latter tries to swing in a cross from just outside the penalty area, but his attempted pass is poor and sails behind for a goal-kick.
• 45'And now Florenzi goes close! The Roma midfielder manages to squeeze his way into the left-hand side of the Sweden penalty area before getting a shot away, but Olsen is there at the near post to save his low effort.
• 45'The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
• 44'Berg catches Jorginho from behind as they battle for the ball, and Italy are awarded a free-kick midway inside the Sweden half of the pitch. It's launched into the penalty area and picks out Bonucci, who rises high but can't hit the target with his glancing header.
• 43'More great play by Italy! Once again, Immobile manages to sprint deep into the visitors' box and towards the byline before cutting a pass back to Gabbiadini. The Southampton striker desperately tries to get a shot away, but he's quickly beaten to the ball by Granqvist at the near post.
• 41'A lofted pass is thumped forward and manages to pick out Immobile on the edge of the penalty area. He brings the ball down well, spins and tees up Parolo, who quickly shoots but fires his strike over the top of the crossbar.
• 40'Last-ditch clearance by Granqvist! Another excellent pass from Jorginho penetrates the Sweden penalty area and picks out Immobile. The striker is all alone and manages to poke a shot past Olsen, but Granqvist is there to blast the ball away before it can find the back of the net. So close!
• 39'Candreva breaks down the right flank and tries to play a quick one-two with Parolo, who had done well to drift out wide. The central midfielder can't find the winger inside the penalty area, however, and, once again, Sweden are able to deal with the danger without too many problems.
• 37'Chiellini fouls Berg on the halfway line, allowing Sweden to take their time with a free-kick. It's sent short and worked over to Lustig, who completely misses the ball and allows it to roll out of play for a throw-in.
• 35'Italy try to carve out a chance on goal through a cross once again, but this time Darmian's ball into the box fails to find a team-mate and bounces safely into the hands of Olsen at the far post. The crowd are starting to get impatient.
• 33'Ball after ball is being flung into the visitors' penalty area, but Italy just can't seem to find any joy in front of goal. Candreva's crossing has been underwhelming so far, while Darmian has also struggled to carve out much space for himself over on the opposite wing.
• 31'Chiellini charges deep into the Sweden half of the pitch and does well to curl a decent cross into the heart of the box. It's well hit by the centre-back, but Granqvist is there to comfortably clear the danger with his head.
• 29'Forsberg absolutely screams at the referee after it looks as if Barzagli handles the ball inside the Italy penalty area, and he becomes the latest player to be booked for dissent. That was another big call by the man in charge!
• 27'What an opportunity for Italy! A lovely chipped pass from Jorginho flies over the Sweden defence and picks out Immobile over on the left-hand side of the box. The striker fires a wonderful pass across the face of goal and over to Candreva, who immediately unleashes a rocket of a shot but can't hit the target.
• 25'Darmian tries to find a way into the Sweden penalty area after Italy play the ball from one flank to the other, but he can't get the better of Mikael Lustig and then loses out to Claesson before he can regain possession deep down the left wing.
• 23'The free-kick initially fails to result in a chance on goal before Sweden push forward once again. A lofted pass is brought down well by Marcus Berg and nodded back to Viktor Claesson, who quickly shoots but can't get the better of Gianluigi Buffon at the near post.
• 22'Barzagli commits a clumsy challenge on Emil Forsberg out wide, resulting in a free-kick for the visitors in a promising position and a yellow card for the defender.
• 20'Candreva finds a bit of space over on the right flank once again before sending a deflected cross behind for a corner. The Inter winger's ball in from the set-piece is a poor one and fails to beat the first man, resulting in groans ringing around the stadium.
• 19'Johansson is stretchered off the pitch to be replaced by Gustav Svensson. That's really sad to see.
• 18'Ouch! This doesn't look good for Johansson, who seemed to get his foot stuck in the ground and twisted his knee nastily. It's left him in a heap on the floor and in serious discomfort, and it looks as if his night may be already over.
• 16'Chance for Immobile! Jorginho sends a beautiful ball through the middle of the Sweden defence and towards Immobile, who sprints into the box and shoots from a very tight angle. He can't hit the target though, and his effort ends up flying into the side-netting.
• 14'Italy quickly try to counter-attack after finally managing to clear the danger from their own half of the pitch, but Darmian's shot at the end of the attacking move is poor and fails to trouble Robin Olsen.
• 13'Sweden scream for a penalty! Sebastian Larsson is barged off the ball by Chiellini as they battle for the ball, resulting in a free-kick for Sweden. It's launched into the Italy penalty area and seems to strike the hand of Darmian, but the referee immediately waves away the penalty protests. Huge call!
• 11'Florenzi drifts out to the left wing and picks up the ball in a promising position, but he can't find a team-mate with his cross and has to settle for a corner. It's swung in by Manolo Gabbiadini and picks out Andrea Barzagli, who ends up sending a bullet header well wide of the goal.
• 10'The resulting free-kick is thumped forward and can only find Parolo, who clears the danger easily enough before being clattered into by the outstretched foot of Johnsson. The midfielder then joins Chiellini in the referee's book.
• 9'Giorgio Chiellini clearly isn't happy with the referee's decision not to award the home side a penalty, and he ends up bringing an attempted Sweden counter-attack to a premature end with a cynical challenge before earning himself an early booking for dissent.
• 8'Marco Parolo goes down inside the penalty area, but nothing is given! The midfielder somehow manages to squeeze his way through a sea of yellow shirts and into the box, where he takes on Ludwig Augustinsson and quickly throws himself to the ground. He immediately appeals for a penalty, but the referee isn't at all interested and waves play on.
• 7'Candreva tries to find some joy down the right flank once again as Italy continue pushing forward, but Jakob Johansson is there to muscle the winger off the ball with a well-timed tackle.
• 5'Antonio Candreva gets himself into a good position down the right wing and swings in a cross, but it's overhit and fails to find a team-mate inside the box. Matteo Darmian does well to pick up possession, however, and then fires a pass over to Alessandro Florenzi, who quickly shoots but sends his 20-yard effort comfortably wide of the goal.
• 3'After an even start to the game from both sides it's Italy who break forward on the first attack of the night. Ciro Immobile darts down the right channel and tries to get the better of Andreas Granqvist, but he ends up charging into the defender from behind and gives away a free-kick.
• 1'We're off! Italy get us underway, attacking from left to right.
•  Blimey, that was quite something! The atmosphere inside San Siro is absolutely electric, with every single Italy player and fan belting out the national anthem. You can tell just how much this game means to them.
•  The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
•  Meanwhile, Sweden boss Janne Andersson has made two alterations to the team that featured three days ago, with Emil Krafth and Albin Ekdal making way for Mikael Lustig and Jakob Johansson, respectively.
•  Giampiero Ventura has decided to make three changes to the Italy side that started the first leg, with the most notable inclusion being Napoli midfielder Jorginho, who is set to make his first ever international start in Daniele De Rossi’s place. Alessandro Florenzi and Manolo Gabbiadini have also come into the starting line-up, with Marco Verratti and Andrea Belotti making way.
•  Sweden substitutes: Johnsson, Nordfeldt, Olsson, Helander, Krafth, Jansson, Svensson, Rohden, Durmaz, Sema, Thelin, Guidetti.
•  Sweden XI (4-4-2): Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson; Claesson, Johansson, Larsson, Forsberg; Toivonen, Berg.
•  Italy substitutes: Donnarumma, Perin, Rugani, Astori, Zappacosta, Gagliardini, De Rossi, Bernardeschi, El Shaarawy, Belotti, Insigne, Eder.
•  Italy XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Florenzi, Jorginho, Parolo, Darmian; Gabbiadini, Immobile.
•  There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
•  One crumb of comfort for Italy is that while Sweden have continually impressed at home this year, they’ve struggled to find as much joy on the road. So far, they’ve only managed to keep a clean sheet away to Belarus in 2017, with the Netherlands sticking two past them when they met last month. Tonight’s game should be a more nervy and narrow affair, however, with Sweden’s backs firmly against the wall.
•  For Sweden, the aim is clear. Thanks to Jakob Johansson’s second-half strike three days ago, they head into tonight’s big clash knowing that a clean sheet will see them safely through. The Blue and Yellows narrowly missed out on making it to the last two World Cups (with Portugal beating them to it on both occasions) but have been presented with a great opportunity to return to the big time.
•  Ironically, Sweden were the hosts of the last World Cup Italy failed to reach way back in 1958, and they could pile misery on their opponents once again today if the four-time world champions aren’t at their best. Boss Giampiero Ventura is under an incredible amount of pressure after failing to impress since taking charge, with some suggesting he could be sacked even if his side do squeeze through.
•  It couldn’t happen, could it? Italy have featured at each of the last 14 World Cup finals but find themselves just one more bad result away from missing out on next year’s tournament. The Azzurri looked sluggish and bereft of ideas in last week’s first leg clash in Stockholm, and a 1-0 defeat has left them needing to score at least once tonight if they’re to have any hope of making it to Russia.
•  Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s World Cup play-off second leg between Italy and Sweden at San Siro.

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