A second-half goal by Sweden substitute Jakob Johansson was enough to beat Italy 1-0 and put his side in the driving seat after its World Cup playoff first-leg on a chilly night.
Italy’s Andrea Belotti sent an early header just wide but after that the visitors showed little ambition, seemingly hoping for a draw to take back to Milan for Monday’s second leg as it battles for a place at next year’s tournament in Russia.
That all changed when Johansson came off the bench to replace Albin Ekdal in the 57th minute and four minutes later snapped up a flick-on from a throw-in and hammered the ball through a forest of legs where it was deflected into the net.
Matteo Darmian came closest to an equaliser, sending a shot cannoning off a post, but the visiting forward line failed to ignite and Italy is now in danger of missing the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958 in Sweden.
In a combative game, midfielder Marco Veratti was booked midway through the first half for a tackle on Marcus Berg and will miss the return-leg due to suspension.
Italy manager Gian Piero Ventura cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, sending on Lorenzo Insigne for Veratti in the 76th minute and the Napoli forward immediately provided a much-needed spark of creativity.
The results: WC play-offs: (first-leg) :
Europe : Sweden 1 (Johansson 61) bt Italy 0.
Asia: CONCACAF : Honduras 0 drew with Australia 0.
Intercontinental : New Zealand 0 drew with Peru 0 .
