Italy beat Group E rivals Sweden 1-0 in Toulouse on Friday thanks to a thrilling goal by Eder in the 88th minute to qualify for the last 16 with a game to spare.
The Brazilian-born forward, who has been under fire for a recent lack of goals, went on a jinking run from outside the box and cruised past a defender before steering the ball into the bottom corner.
The Azzurri, who went into the tournament in France with low expectations of their chances back home, are top of the group with six points after beating Belgium 2-0 in their opener on Monday. The match got off to a frenetic start with both sides looking to attack and creating a few half chances.
The Swedes put lots of pressure on Conte's men when they were on the ball and the Azzurri struggled to get their passes flowing.
Indeed, Sweden, who had a greater need to win the game after drawing their opener 1-1 with Ireland, finished the first half stronger.
Sweden's John Guidetti finished a slick move by blasting a shot from outside the box high into the stands in the 39th minute and Giorgio Chiellini had to intervene in a goal-mouth scramble soon after.
But there no clear chances by the end of a dull first period in which Sweden enjoyed 59% of the possession.
Antonio Conte's men looked more determined after the break and forward Graziano Pellè fired over the bar on 49 minutes.
The pressure did not last and Conte tried to liven things up by bringing on Simone Zaza for Pelle on the hour mark.
Sweden's star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic remarkably failed to strike home a cross from a metre or two out in the 72nd minute, but the effort would not have counted if it had gone in as he was offside.
Midfielder Marco Parolo came close when he headed a Emanuele Giaccherini cross from the left on to the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
But the game looked headed for a draw before Eder's flash of brilliance.
Italy winger Antonio Candreva forced a good save out of Sweden keeper Andreas Isaksson soon after. Sweden had a penalty shout turned down in stoppage time. Italy face Ireland in their last group match on Wednesday.
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