TOULOUSE, FRANCE - JUNE 17: Eder of Italy celebrates after he scores his
sides first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Italy
and
Sweden at Stadium Municipal on June 17, 2016 in Toulouse, France.
(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Ireland weren't playing this afternoon but fans of the Boys in Green
would have celebrated Italy's winner against Sweden this afternoon
almost as passionately as they did when Wes Hoolahan hit the net last
Monday.
Striker Eder scored in the dying moments to give Antonio Conte's men
their second win of Group E, booking Italy's place in the last 16 in the
process. The result means that the Azzurri lead the group at the moment
with six points, followed by Sweden and Ireland on one and Belgium on
zero.
Ireland play Belgium tomorrow, and will be hopeful of a result, but
with the knowledge that Italy will be assured of qualification when they
meet on Wednesday in Lille, which may see Conte rest a number of his
regulars.
Today's clash in Toulouse was a drab affair for the most
part, with few clear chances created by either side. In fact, with each
passing minute, Ireland's failure to beat Sweden looked like an even
greater missed opportunity.
However, just when it looked like the teams would share the points -
which wouldn't have been ideal from an Irish perspective - Eder struck
to snatch a win for Italy, boosting Ireland's Euro 2016 hopes in the
process.
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