Ibrahimovic gives Sweden late draw
PORTO, Portugal -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck a late goal to give Sweden a battling 1-1 draw with a vastly-improved Italy side in an absorbing Group C clash on Friday.
The points seemed to be heading Italy's way when Ibrahimovic hooked the ball into the top corner with his back to goal from close-range after a scramble in the area on 85 minutes.
Italy took the lead after 37 minutes with a header from 21-year-old Antonio Cassano, who replaced the suspended Francesco Totti, and outplayed a determined Sweden team for long periods.
Sweden next meet Scandinavian rivals Denmark in their final match with both teams on four points with Italy, who have two points, facing an easier match against eliminated Bulgaria.
Only some inspired goalkeeping from former Juventus youngster Andreas Isaksson in the Swedish goal had prevented Italy from extending their lead.
Italy attacked for most of a pulsating first half and had five goal attempts from Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri before breaking the deadlock eight minutes before the break.
Christian Panucci, who had an excellent match marauding down the left flank, created the goal with a left-footed inswinging cross for Cassano who stooped low to glance the ball past Isaksson for his second goal in his fifth international.
The only downside for Italy were bookings for midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and defender Fabio Cannavaro, and both will miss their final group match against Bulgaria, along with Totti.
Bulgaria, already eliminated after their 2-0 defeat to Denmark earlier, will probably not pose too much of a threat to Italy if they show this form again next Tuesday.
With Alessandro Nesta and Cannavaro outstanding at the back and Gianluigi Buffon unbeatable in goal, Italy had looked impregnable.
The tirless running of Gattuso and Simone Perrotta in midfield limited Sweden's options -- so much so that their leading striker Henrik Larsson was limited to watching and waiting -- and he did not have a goal attempt until midway through the second half when he blasted high and wide.
Sweden, needing a win to ensure a quarter-final place, looked lively on the break at times and both Fredrik Ljungberg and Ibrahimovic went close in the first half but failed to find the target until his late goal saved a point.
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said his players had given everything in their draw. "We gave everything we had, played well and created a lot of chances, but their goalkeeper was superb," said Trapattoni.
"In the second half we got tired and they were able to push up on the wings. When they scored I thought there might have been a foul on Zambrotta."
Asked about Italy's chances in their next match against Bulgaria, Trapattoni said: "If we play like that I think we've got an excellent chance of winning, though of course it won't be a walk in the park."
Trapattoni was pleased by the performance of goalscorer forward Antonio Cassano, who was replacing the suspended Totti.
"He scored a great goal," Trapattoni said. "I thought he deserved another. He's young and has plenty of room for improvement."
Sweden striker Henrik Larsson said his side were very pleased after battling back to earn the draw.
Larsson's attacking partner Ibrahimovic scored a brilliant late equaliser to earn the Swedes a point. "It was a great goal he scored and we were very pleased with the draw," Larsson said.
"We are happy we got this point and it was a beautiful goal. Zlatan deserved it, he is a great player.
"They are a very skilful Italian side but we were able to put them under pressure in the second half and were able to get the equaliser.
