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Eder takes Italy to pre-quarters

By The Assam Tribune

TOULOUSE, June 17: Italy moved into the knockout stages of Euro 2016 after Eder scored two minutes from fulltime to secure a 1-0 win over Sweden in Toulouse on Friday.

Eder ended a great run by firing home in the 88th minute to move Italy clear at the top of Group E on six points after two matches following their 2-0 victory over Belgium in their opening encounter.

The result left Sweden in an uncomfortable position with one point after two games ahead of their final group clash against Belgium next week.

Sweden were well organised at the back but toothless in attack, with their danger man Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking a shadow of his brilliant best and hardly creating a chance.

Italy, who surprised many with their superb performance against a highly-fancied Belgium side, relied on their trademark, tight defence but rarely threatened up front until Marco Parolo hit the crossbar with a header shortly before Eder netted the winner.

Germany held to a goalless draw: Germany provided the first goalless draw on Thursday.

World champions in Brazil two years ago and 2-0 winners over Ukraine on Sunday, Germany went into its Group C game against Poland at the Stade de France as the clear favourites.

Instead, Germany was kept in check by a well-organised Poland side that also had the best chance to break the deadlock in a dour game.

Arkadiusz Milik, who had scored Poland�s winner against Northern Ireland on Sunday, miscued a header as he fell to his knees in Germany�s goalmouth and the ball bounced wide.

�We created few chances today,� Germany coach Joachim Loew said. �We didn�t increase the tempo and then nine of 10 Poles were behind the ball.�

Ukraine out of Euro 2016: Northern Ireland later claimed its first tournament victory in 34 years with a 2-0 win over Ukraine. With the loss, Ukraine became the first team in the tournament assured of not advancing to the knockout stages.

Gareth McAuley put his side ahead with a header in the first half and Niall McGinn padded the lead by driving the ball home in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Unrecognisable from the side that surrendered meekly in a 1-0 defeat to Poland, Northern Ireland played sharply in its first tournament win since beating host nation Spain at the 1982 World Cup. � Agencies

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