Alessandro Del Piero scored a superb goal on his return to the Italy side to give his country a 2-1 win over Sweden in Eindhoven and hand Tommy Soderberg's side an early exit from Group B at Euro 2000.

The Juventus striker, making his first start of the tournament, smashed the ball home two minutes from the end of normal time to give his side their third straight victory, but Sweden will consider themselves unlucky after a hard-working performance.

Del Piero's goal came after Luigi di Biagio had scored one goal and cost his side another in a match in which Sweden threw everything at the Italians in search of the victory they needed to stand a chance of progressing.

The Inter midfielder headed Italy into the lead late in the first half before giving the ball away to Henrik Larsson for Sweden's equalizer, only for the recalled Del Piero to cap his return with a fine late goal.

Sweden went close through Kennet Andersson in the second half, but in the end, it was their earlier poor results against Turkey and Belgium which cost them dear.

Di Biagio, the man who missed a vital penalty for Italy at the last World Cup, headed his country into a 1-0 lead on 38 minutes after rising unmarked to meet a corner from Del Piero, back in an Italian team showing eight changes.

Fredrik Ljungberg missed a great chance to put Sweden ahead early on in a match they had to win to stand a chance of progressing, while Italy could afford defeat after clinching top spot with their opening two wins.

Italy coach Dino Zoff will be worried by an injury to his captain Paolo Maldini, who suffered a knock to his knee 10 minutes before the break. Maldini played on, but didn't look fully comfortable and came off to be replaced by Alessandro Nesta.

Di Biagio's goal was a little harsh against a Sweden side which had dominated possession for much of the first half, with Svensson denied by Toldo, while Ljungberg should have scored when he found himself in on goal only to push his shot wide from no more than five yards.

The second half was an interesting affair as Vincenzo Montella and Del Piero joined forces to ask questions of the Swedes.

Patrik Andersson, fit again after injury, had a great chance for Sweden but was blocked well, while Del Piero missed a golden chance to make it 3-1 in the dying seconds when he stretched for a cross from Vincenzo Montella.

Italy now await the runners-up from Group A in the quarter-finals on Saturday with England, Romania and Germany all in line for the runners-up spot.