Johansson leaves Italy facing tricky escape act

ITALY must beat Sweden at San Siro on Monday to have any hope of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia after Jakob Johansson condemned the Azzurri to a firstleg defeat in Stockholm.

Johansson’s second-half winner was helped into the net by the unfortunate Daniele De Rossi but Sweden will not mind one bit as they now have the upper hand ahead of the crucial fixture in Milan.

Under no illusions about the strength of Italy’s determination to avoid the ignominy of failing to reach the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, Sweden kicked off in a suitably serious mood.

There would be no sharing of the home comforts at the Friends Arena as Ola Toivonen gave Leonardo Bonucci some early bother with an elbow that left the Milan defender writhing in pain.

With Sweden pressing hard, tricky winger Emil Forsberg fired a free-kick over the bar before Andrea Belotti fluffed a header.

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Forsberg – a key element in RB Leipzig’s remarkable rise to the top of the Bundesliga – then cut inside to tee up Toivonen for a low effort that just skimmed Gianluigi Buffon’s far post.

Italy steadily got to grips with Sweden’s physical approach and began creating chances of their own, Matteo Darmian finding Antonio Candreva only for the Inter schemer to come up short.

Sweden had the last word before the break. Marcus Berg read Giorgio Chiellini’s movement well to put Buffon in difficulty, but the 39-year-old goalkeeper was able to clear.

His counterpart Robin Olsen was called into action following the restart as Candreva and Marco Parolo tested his ref lexes but, just after the hour mark, it was Sweden who struck.

Johansson, on as a substitute for Albin Ekdal, strode into the Italy box to put his foot through a headed lay-off. The ball veered past Buffon thanks in part to a helpful def lection off De Rossi.

Italy responded well but, despite Manchester United’s Darmian hitting a post with a long-range effort, Giampiero Ventura’s side couldn’t find an equaliser.