Eder lit up an otherwise forgettable contest as Italy beat Sweden 1-0 to seal progression from Group E at Euro 2016.
Antonio Conte’s men underlined their typical tournament credentials with a 2-0 win over Belgium in their opening game but turned in an insipid display against a rigid Swedish defence, which suddenly fell apart in the 88th minute to let Eder in.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again saw another chance to become the first man to score in four separate European Championships slip away, the former Juventus, Inter and AC Milan striker struggling to impose himself against Juve’s ‘BBC’ backline of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Indeed, Sweden have failed to register a shot on target in two games so far, and barely deserve a spot in the next round on this evidence.
With Italy now able to plot their run in the knockout stages, Belgium and Republic of Ireland will hope to seize the initiative to join them when they meet in Bordeaux on Saturday.