Italy Under-21s secured victory against Sweden Under-21s despite playing most of the match with 10 men.
Balotelli is hero and villain in 2-1 win
Italy survived the sending-off of star player Mario Balotelli to secure victory over Sweden in the European Under-21 Championship.
The Inter Milan striker had earlier produced an exquisite finish to put the Azzurrini a goal in front and Robert Acquafresca's header added to the lead at the start of the second half.
Ola Toivonen grabbed a late consolation but could not prevent Italy from climbing to the top of Group B.
The hosts, buoyed by a passionate home crowd in Helsingborg, took the initiative early on as Marcus Berg passed-up a good opportunity to score after a blunder by Italian goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.
With just over 10 minutes gone, Rasmus Elm's free-kick took a deflection and almost crept into the bottom-corner but Consigli stretched to make a good save.
Beautiful strike
Italy began to play themselves into the game as the first half wore on with Acquafresca squandering their first real chance by heading a cross straight into Johan Dahlin's arms.
However, they were to take the lead shortly after when 18-year-old Balotelli curled a beautiful strike inside the post from 20 yards out.
Balotelli's joy turned to agony before the end of the half when referee Tony Chapron showed him the red card for clashing with Sweden midfielder Pontus Wernblom.
Sweden looked to make the most of their one-man advantage after the break, Berg going close after being played in by Toivonen.
But it was Italy who again found the back of the net when Sebastian Giovinco crossed brilliantly from a free-kick and Acquafresca supplied the finishing touch with his head.
Toivonen went close twice, Wernblom drew a good save from Consigli and substitute Martin Olsson sent his header just wide of the post but Sweden struggled to get the goal that would have brought them back into the game.
Toivonen did give the host nation a glimmer of hope late in the game with a great turn and strike into the bottom corner.
