This was the scoreline every Italian dreaded - but nobody who witnessed this
cracker here will believe in any sort of conspiracy between the Scandinavian
rivals.
Denmark twice took the lead through Jon Dahl Tomasson strikes, and were pulled
back first by a Henrik Larsson penalty and then Mattias Jonson's late, late
equaliser.
But these two sides went at each other as if their lives depended on it,
backing up vigorous rejections to Italian claims that the two rivals would
engineer a 2-2 draw - a score which would end Italy's hopes of progress
irrespective of how they fared against Bulgaria.
As it happened the 2-2 draw rendered Italy's last-gasp 2-1 win in Guimaraes
irrelevant, earning Denmark a quarter-final clash with the Czech Republic on Sunday and
Sweden a clash with the second-placed team in Group D the previous day.
Sweden were without suspended Everton midfielder Tobias Linderoth, while
Denmark were missing the injured Dennis Rommedahl, meaning Jesper Gronkjaer
started his first match of the tournament, after scoring as a substitute in the
win against Bulgaria.
The Swedes started better in the torrential rain, with Freddie Ljungberg going
close with a header, then a swerving, angled 20-yard effort.
Denmark's response was a fierce drive from Ebbe Sand which crashed into the
considerable body of defender Olof Mellberg.
They went close again in the 14th minute when Tomasson's pass to Gronkjaer
opened up the left of Sweden's defence - but the fierce shot crashed into the
side-netting.
Denmark took a stunning 27th-minute lead with Gravesen and Ebbe Sand combining
to set up Tomasson, who sent a cracking 25-yarder dipping over Andreas
Isaksson's head into the top corner.
Sweden responded with a barrage of set-pieces as they camped in Denmark's
box.
Two efforts from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic forced Aston Villa
goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen into an outstanding double save as the pressure
mounted.
A minute later Erik Edman was booked for one of a succession of blocks on
Gronkjaer, but Sweden were stepping up a gear now and Villa defender Mellberg
crashed a header against a post, somehow Denmark survived until the break.
Denmark brought on Kasper Bogelund at the break for Niclas Jensen - and their
lead lasted just a minute of the second half.
A fine through-ball sent Larsson racing into the right of the Danish box and
Sorensen's dive at his feet sent the former Celtic man crashing to the ground.
Referee Markus Merk pointed to the spot and Larsson stepped up to crash home
the penalty - the first goal Sorensen has conceded in the tournament.
Sweden continued their assault and with Larsson finding space and Arsenal
midfielder Ljungberg having an increasing influence, Denmark were pushed back.
But the Danes kept plugging away even if their list of wounded wingers got
worse when Martin Jorgensen limped off and Rommedahl - not considered fit enough
to start - was thrown into the fray.
Larsson missed a great chance to put Sweden ahead on the hour when
Ibrahimovic's work 30 yards out sent the ball spinning to his strike partner.
But with time to line up the shot, Larsson struck his effort just wide from 18
yards.
In the 65th minute Denmark sent on Christian Poulsen for Daniel Jensen - and
60 seconds later they were back in the lead.
Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen's fierce drive crashed into a forest of
Swedish legs but bounced invitingly into Tomasson's path - and he made no
mistake from six yards.
It should have been 3-1 soon after when Gravesen's run into the box then set
up Sand, eight yards out - but Isaksson made a fine save to his right.
Sweden introduced Christian Wilhelmsson for Kim Kallstrom in the 71st minute,
and soon after Ibrahimovic brought Sorensen to his knees with a low drive while
Rommedahl saw a fierce effort parried away by Isaksson.
With nine minutes left Sweden sent on an extra forward in the shape of Aston
Villa striker Marcus Allback for Andersson, with the need to at least level now
crucial.
Tomasson's run on 83 minutes set up Sand for a chance he should have buried,
but he blazed high over the top - then Chelsea's Birmingham-bound winger
Gronkjaer cut in from the left to fire over the bar.
But Sweden pulled level two minutes from time when Jonson fired in after hard
work by Allback on the left to spark delight all round in Porto - and misery in
Guimaraes.
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