Sweden denies Italy cup spot
MILAN: Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after being held to a 00 home draw yesterday by a defiant Sweden, which booked a place at next year’s finals in Russia with a 10 aggregate win.
Sweden survived waves of attacks in the second leg of the European playoff on a night of unremitting tension and drama at a stunned San Siro where the cheers turned to boos after fourtime champion Italy was left to rue its spurned chances.
The Italians, who had not missed the World Cup since the 1958 finals in Sweden, had 75% of possession, squandered numerous opportunities and had penalty appeals turned down in their increasingly desperate search for an equaliser.
The Italy players, who along with their 69yearold coach Gian Piero Ventura, are likely to face long inquests, collapsed on to the pitch in despair at the final whistle and even veterans such as Giorgio Chiellini were inconsolable.
The defeat brought the curtain down on the remarkable international career of 39yearold goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was making his 175th appearance for his country.
Ventura, under fire for his team selections and tactics, made four changes to the team which lost the first leg and brought Jorginho into midfield for the suspended Marco Verratti. It was a huge ask of the Brazilianborn player who had not previously played a competitive game for Italy.
Sweden coach Jan Andersson admitted that his side had to cling on against technically superior opponents.
‘‘We had no weapons left. We just had to sit there and hope that we could hang on,’’ he said. ‘‘We couldn’t do it in any other way; they are so skilful.
‘‘Look at some of the older players who felt that this was the last chance to make it to a World Cup — and now we did it. It’s indescribable,’’ he added.
A key figure in the mammoth defensive effort that delivered the draw they needed was Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist, who fell to the ground in tears as the referee ended the game.
‘‘For my part, this is the biggest thing that has happened to me and for those of us that are older this is probably the last chance to play at a World Cup so to succeed in those circumstances is an unbelievable joy,’’ the 32yearold said.
The Italians did not enter the first World Cup in 1930 but apart from the 1958 finals they have been everpresent.
After the disappointed Italian fans had left the San Siro stadium, the Swedes stayed on and sang as the players continued their victory jig.— Reuters