Italy close again! Celtic man Mikael Lustig gets himself in another tangle at the near post, heading a cross up and not away and it lands on the top of the bar.

Could have gone anywhere!

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Andrew Johnson: A world cup sticker album without Italy in it? That will blow the swaps market wide open, Sweden is never going to be as valuable.

A chance for Italy straight away after those subs as Ciro Immobile stabs a cross into the side-netting, he was well positioned. Mikael Lustig with a tackle straight out of Ross County (a) - he's in the book for it too.

Sweden have 25 minutes to hang on...

Matteo Darmian off, Stephan El Shaarawy on.

Manolo Gabbiadini off, Andrea Belotti on.

Lorenzo Insigne STILL ON THE BENCH...

Big noise! Gigi Buffon is conducting the crowd after Antonio Candreva has a shot deflected just wide. We are closing in on the home straight now. Leo Bonucci has taken off his mask. He means business.

Image source, Reuters

A very rare, bordering on unique, counter for Sweden but Marcus Berg, starved of the ball all game doesn't know what to do with it.

And now a great chance! Sub Isaac Kiese Thelin has a clear run on the break but is utterly convincing and can only cough up an apology of a shot.

Sweden could have won it there.

Image source, Reuters

Ciro Immobile has made himself a nuisance with some clever movement tonight and he's free inside the area again, cutting the ball back to Giorgio Chiellini, whose shot is blocked.

To clarify, Rob Lee was a good player, but if he's not in your first XI why take him to a World Cup when you've got Gazza available...?

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There is movement on the Italy bench Paul. I didn't see Lorenzo Insigne among them though. THIS IS MADNESS.

Like leaving Gazza at home but taking Rob Lee.

Paul Joseph: Italy lacking in a bit of creativity, seem a bit predictable. What about bringing on El Shaarawy or Insigne? Think they can unlock more than the wingbacks on the pitch who are just crossing in front of the Swedish defence.

Great effort! Matteo Darmian digs out a cross from the left, back to the heart of the area and Alessandro Florenzi thows himself at the volley. Superb effort, both feet off the floor, acrobatic stuff - it's a few yards wide though.

Sweden need to change something to get hold of the ball and they send on Isaac Kiese Thelin for Ola Toivonen.

Image source, Reuters

KEEP THE BALL!Sweden are making a very bad job of that. Every second touch is a launch downfield. Job done at the moment though. A goal for the visitors would all but knock Italy out at this stage though, they' d need three.

Wild lunges aside Sweden have defended their penalty area really well all night, but their use of the ball in midfield has been non-existent. They can't break away as a result. Italy have had 73% of the ball.

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That's two penalties each which could have been awarded. Matteo Darmian needs treatment after being poleaxed but he's up and wincing off the field.

ANOTHER penalty appeal! A cross from the right comes all the way through to Matteo Darmian, he doesn't react well and can't hit it on the volley, he takes a touch and Mikael Lustig just wildly swings, kneeing the Manchester United man in the chest!

It's a penalty all day long surely - but the ref gives a free-kick the other way for handball!

Here we go then. Sweden are 45 minutes away from a place in Russia. Italy are 45 minutes away from shame and infamy...

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A few of you are suggesting that a certain Zlatan may come out of international retirement if Sweden hold out tonight. I wouldn't put it past him!

The 36-year-old played at the 2002 and 2006 finals.

Matt Price: seems it's not just the Netherlands who are struggling on the international stage. Time of the big guns slowly fading away?

Gary Wolinski: So far it looks like the Italians are going Dutch for long years to come

Italy might not be in crisis - but give it 45 minutes. I can't imagine the public will take well to missing out on a World Cup for the first time in 60 years...