It all happened at the Solna Arena as a spectacular game saw the Azzurre fall only at the last moment. In front of 15,000 fans in Sweden, the hosts beat a brilliant Italy 3-2 though we took the lead after just 22 seconds through Severini - her first goal for the Azzurre. In the second half, the hosts went level through Asllani and then ahead through Angeldahl’s direct free kick but Cambiaghi did brilliantly to bag us an equaliser. When it seemed like a draw was on the cards, Sweden were awarded their second penalty of the evening - after Giuliani saved the first - converted by Rolfö to ensure that the Swedes remain top of the group.

The Head Coach: “This result does not reflect the brilliant performance from the girls. We were always in the game and I am very proud of the squad. There is a lot of faith in the future after a performance like this which seemed impossible a few years ago. Now, we can go toe-to-toe with them and we know that we can beat them”.

MATCH REPORT. Two changes to the line-up after the defeat to Denmark. Soncin’s 3-5-2 featured Bonfantini instead of Bergamaschi and Severini instead of Giacinti, to have an additional body in the midfield supporting the Giugliano-Caruso duo, aided by Boattin on the left. Giuliani and Di Gugliemo, Lenzini and Linari all started with Cambiaghi and Beccari featuring in attack.

Italy wanted to win and showed it from the start; a goal destined to be remembered by football history. Giugliano recovered the ball after the Swedes got us underway and passed to Beccari who ran into the box from the left, crossing to Severini who put it right past Falk. After just 22 seconds, the Fiorentina midfielder bagged her first international goal and silenced the Swedish crowd. The hosts seemed shocked and Soncin’s side went close to doubling the lead in the 11th minute with a powerful shot by Beccari being saved. The only chances for Sweden came at the half-hour as Blackstenius shot high and in the 47th minute as Lenzini blocked a shot from Rolfö.

At the start of the second half, Sweden were pushing - managing to break the Azzurre line in the 53rd minute right after Cantore came on for an injured Beccari, a lucky goal for the former Rossonere player Asllani. Four minutes later, Giuliani came out of her goal and caught Blackstenius: it was a penalty according to the referee but the Milan goalkeeper dived to save Angeldahl’s shot from the spot. The Real Madrid midfielder was vindicated in the 75th minute, however, as she scored a direct free kick from over 20 meters out.

Soncin’s side, as usual, fought to the very last and found an equaliser with 10 minutes to go as Cambiaghi did well to get her head on the end of a cross from Cantore and score her fifth Italy goal. However, the downfall came in the 95th minute as the referee blew for a generous second penalty for the Swedes, for a handball by Oliviero: this time, Rolfö stepped up and shot past Giuliani much to the joy of the Solna Arena.

Italy will play again on Tuesday (18:00 CEST, live on Rai 2) for the game against Denmark who beat Wales 2-1 and sit three points above the Azzurre. The race for a second-place finish in the group - allowing us to avoid the dangers of a playoff - will continue in Herning.

SWEDEN 3-2 ITALY

Sweden (4-2-3-1): Falk; Lundkvist, Björn, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Zigotti Olme (73’ Bennison); Rytting Kaneryd (83’ Jakobsson), Asllani (73' Blomqvist), Rolfö; Blackstenius (73' Wangerheim). Unused subs: Holmgren, Enblom, Wijk, NIldén, Janogy, Jakobsson, Ilestedt, Vinberg, Kullberg. Coach: Peter Gerhardsson

Italy (3-5-2): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Lenzini (70' Piga), Linari; Bonfantini (63' Serturini) , Giugliano (70' Schatzer), Caruso, Severini, Boattin (63' Oliviero); Cambiaghi, Beccari (53’ Cantore). Unused subs: Baldi, Shore, Bergamaschi, Soffia, Goldoni, Girelli, Piemonte. Coach: Soncin

Goalscorers: 1’ Severini (I), 56’ Asllani (S), 75’ Angeldahl (S), 85’ Cambiaghi, 95' Rolfo (S)

Referee: Peşu (ROU). Assistants: Constantinescu (ROU) and Nan (ROU). Fourth official: Recorean (ROU).

Notes: booked Schatzer (I). Fans in attendance: 14,521

CALENDAR, RESULTS AND TABLE GROUP 4 (League A)

Matchday 1: ITALY 1-0 Wales, Denmark 1-2 Sweden

Matchday 2: ITALY 1-3 Denmark, Wales 1-1 Sweden

Matchday 3: Sweden 3-2 ITALY, Wales 1-2 Denmark

Table: Sweden 7 points, Denmark 6, Italy 3, Wales 1

Matchday 4 (8 April): Denmark vs. ITALY (18 CEST, Herning), Sweden vs. Wales
Matchday 5 (30 May): ITALY vs. Sweden, Denmark vs. Wales
Matchday 6 (3 June): Wales vs. ITALY, Sweden vs. Denmark