Artists at work

Individual skill and collective will earned Sweden a 1-1 draw against an Italian side playing some of the best football seen at Euro 2004 so far. The result leaves Group C open between these two teams and Denmark; the final matches will be played on Tuesday night.

Italy took the lead before the break with a header from 21-year-old Antonio Cassano. It was totally deserved after they had attacked for most of a pulsating first half and had five goal attempts from Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri before breaking the deadlock eight minutes before halftime. Christian Panucci, who had an excellent match marauding down the left flank, created the opening with a left-footed inswinging cross for Cassano, who stooped low to glance the ball past Isaksson. With Alessandro Nesta and Cannavaro outstanding at the back and Gianluigi Buffon unbeatable in goal, Italy looked impregnable.

A win would have clinched them a quarter-final place, now they have to make sure they earn it against Denmark without defensive midfielder Tobias Linderoth who will be suspended. At times it looked as though the equaliser would never come,but when it did no-one could deny the Swedes deserved it. It was a spectacular strike from Zlatan Ibrahimovic five minutes from time. The forward leapt, leant back and, with the outside of his right boot, flicked a loose ball over his head and into the net in one movement. (Reuters)