Italy produced an outstanding first-half display before fading after the break, with news filtering through from Serbia also taking its toll. The match at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg ended 2-2, as Sweden cancelled out goals from Oliviero and Piemonte through Lundkvist and Rolfö. The result means Italy are still waiting for a first-ever win on Swedish soil and miss out on automatic qualification for the World Cup, with Denmark securing top spot in Group A1 thanks to their 4-1 victory over bottom side Serbia.

“It was a performance of the highest level,” said head coach Andrea Soncin after the final whistle. “We gave away very little but paid a heavy price for the chances we did concede. I’m extremely proud of what the players showed today and of their determination to give everything once again. We take second place, which allows us to look ahead to October’s play-offs with real confidence.”

Italy must now wait until 18 June to discover the next step on their road to the World Cup finals. The play-off draw will take place in nine days’ time, with 32 teams competing across two two-legged rounds. The Azzurre will enter Path 1, where the second and third-placed teams of League A will play against the six first-placed teams (Lithuania, Kosovo, Hungary, Greece, Romania and Belarus) and two best-ranked second-placed teams (Azerbaijan and Croatia) of League C on 7 and 13 October. The eight League A teams will be seeded and play their second-leg matches at home. In the second round, the winners from Path 1 will then meet the winners from Path 2 on 26 November and 5 December. Path 2 features the four fourth-placed teams of League A and the four League B group winners.

THE MATCH. Soncin made five changes to the side that started four days earlier in Pisa. Lenzini replaced Bartoli in defence, Di Guglielmo and Oliviero returned on the flanks, while Piemonte partnered Sofia Cantore in attack, with Dragoni and Girelli starting on the bench. Greggi, Giugliano and Caruso kept their places in midfield.

Roared on by more than 12,800 spectators, Sweden made an energetic start but left space for Italy to exploit on the counter. Di Guglielmo was a constant threat early on, with her crosses and penetrating runs causing the home defence plenty of problems. Sweden were relying heavily on set-pieces, one of their trademark strengths, while the Azzurre were looking to dictate the game through possession and passing quality. After going close with an effort from distance, Oliviero broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, finishing off an excellent move involving Di Guglielmo and Cantore with a clinical strike beyond Falk. The goal lifted Italy’s confidence and they took complete control before the interval. Right on half-time, Oliviero turned provider, delivering a perfect cross for Piemonte, who powered home a commanding header to double the advantage.

Denmark's comfortable lead in Serbia did little to affect Italy early in the second half, as the Azzurre continued to confidently control possession. The game turned midway through the half, however, when Sweden struck twice in the space of three minutes from corners. Lundkvist bundled home the first before Rolfö completed the comeback from another scramble in the box. The Azzurre suddenly found themselves under pressure and had to withstand a sustained Swedish push in the closing stages. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Lisa Boattin had a glorious opportunity to snatch victory but failed to hit the target with her left foot from an excellent position. At the final whistle, disappointment was etched across the faces of players from both teams after neither had secured qualification. Italy’s dream of reaching Brazil remains alive, however, with the first round of the play-offs now just four months away.

SWEDEN 2-2 ITALY

Sweden (4-4-2): Falk; Holmberg, Nildén, Andersson, Sandberg (46’ Lundkvist); Jusu Bah (57’ Vinberg), Zigiotti Olme, Angeldahl, Rytting Kaneryd (57’ Kafaji); Blackstenius, Schröder (57’ Rolfö). Substitutes: Musovic, Edrud, Ijeh, Olsson, Ilestedt, Bennison, Anvegard, Reidy. Coach: Gustavsson

Italy (3-5-2): Giuliani; Lenzini (77’ Glionna), Salvai, Soffia; Di Guglielmo, Greggi, Caruso, Giugliano, Oliviero (76’ Boattin); Cantore (77’ Bonansea), Piemonte (84’ Girelli). Substitutes: Baldi, Durante, Bartoli, Bergamaschi, Linari, Dragoni, Severini, Cambiaghi. Coach: Soncin

Referee: Demetrescu (ROU). Assistants: Florea (ROU) and Ivanov (ROU). Fourth official: Terteleac (ROU)

Goals: 36’ Oliviero (I), 45’ Piemonte (I), 70’ Lundkvist (S), 73’ Rolfö (S)
Notes: Angeldahl (S), Caruso (I), Piemonte (I), Rolfö (S), Soffia (I) and Boattin (I) booked. Stoppage time: 1’ and 4’. Attendance: approximately 12,800.

Group A1 results and standings

Matchday 1: Denmark 3-1 Serbia, Italy 0-1 Sweden
Matchday 2: Serbia 0-0 Sweden, Italy 1-1 Denmark
Matchday 3: Serbia 0-6 Italy, Sweden 1-2 Denmark
Matchday 4: Denmark 0-0 Italy, Sweden 1-0 Serbia
Matchday 5: Denmark 2-1 Sweden, Italy 3-0 Serbia
Matchday 6: Serbia 1-4 Denmark, Sweden 2-2 Italy

Standings: Denmark 14 points, Italy 9, Sweden 8, Serbia 1