All six Bianconeri called up to Antonio Conte’s Euro 2016 squad enjoyed game time as the Azzurri recorded their second triumph of this year’s tournament, a 1-0 win over Sweden that takes them safely into the competition’s last 16 stage.
Starting yesterday’s Group E game was the formidable defensive unit of Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, while Simone Zaza and Stefano Sturaro joined the action in the second half.
Zaza, on in place of Southampton frontman Graziano Pelle, had a telling impact on the encounter, heading the ball down into the path of Eder, who dispatched a clinical shot into the bottom corner with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
The Bianconeri forward will be looking to make his first start in a major European tournament when Italy face the Republic of Ireland in their final group game on Wednesday.
Over in Nice, Alvaro Morata's Spain joined Italy in the knockout stages courtesy of a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Turkey. The Juventus striker was in imperious form, heading Vicente Del Bosque's men in front on 34 minutes before Nolito doubled the defending champions' lead just three minutes later.
Morata shattered any feint hopes of a Turkey revival inside the opening stages of the second half, rounding off a flowing passing move to maintain Spain's 100 per cent start to the Euros. Croatia lie in wait on Tuesday night, when a draw would enable the Spaniards to top the group.
Earlier in the evening, Mario Mandzukic's Croatia squandered a two-goal lead to share the points with the Czech Republic in Saint Etienne. Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic put the Croats in front inside the hour, only for Milan Skoda and Tomas Necid to hit back for the Czechs. One point for Ante Cantic's troops in their remaining game against Spain would guarantee them a place in the competition's knockout stages.
At New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, Colombia booked their first Copa America semi-final spot since 2004 with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Peru, following a goalless draw after 90 minutes. Bianconeri winger Juan Cuadrado kept his cool to slot his spot kick, helping those in yellow shirts secure a final four showdown against either Mexico or Chile.
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