Italy at risk of missing World Cup after 1st-leg defeat in Sweden

A World Cup without Italy could become a reality.

Sweden frustrated and eventually took a 1-0 aggregate advantage over the Azzurri at Friends Arena on Friday, leaving them to contemplate missing the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The decisive goal itself was fortunate - Jakob Johansson's second-half strike took a significant deflection to beat Gianluigi Buffon - but the Italians didn't help their own cause. They produced just one shot on target - a long-range hit from Antonio Candreva's boot - and made little of their superior possession.

Head coach Gian Piero Ventura's tactics and team selections once again infuriated supporters, as star Lorenzo Insigne sat on the bench until he was summoned in the 75th minute. Napoli teammate and midfield metronome Jorginho, who leads the top-five European leagues in average passes per match, remained unused throughout the match.

Italy piled on the pressure in the closing stages and smacked the upright through Matteo Darmian, but failed to truly test goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

The result wasn't the only negative to come out of these 90 minutes. Marco Verratti picked up his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign, thereby suspending him for the second leg Monday in Milan.

The host's rigorous pressing made Italy feel uncomfortable all night, and Sweden easily dealt with repeated crosses into the box.

Ventura's front two, Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile, couldn't convert any of the balls that fell their way. Italy's now scored just three goals in its past five qualifiers - including a humbling 3-0 defeat to Spain.

Italy must win by a two-goal margin in Milan to progress.