Chiellini heads Italy to win over Sweden in friendly

Giorgio Chiellini headed an experimental Italy side to a 1-0 win over Sweden in a friendly but Germany needed a late goal from Lukas Podolski to grab a 2-2 draw against the Ivory Coast.

In Cesena, Juventus centre-back Chiellini charged in to score the winner for the world champions in the 28th minute after Giampaolo Pazzini nodded on a corner from the right.

Sweden, without Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their first game under new coach Erik Hamren, had made a bright start and Italy keeper Federico Marchetti twice showed sharp reflexes.

The hosts then came forward at pace and created several chances. Chiellini had a header deflected off target by Andreas Isaksson's chest before he found the net and he also forced a fine save just before half-time.

Palermo defender Mattia Cassani came on to make his debut for the Azzurri at the start of the second half, which was largely uneventful until Marchetti did well to repel a Pontus Wernbloom header late on.

"It was a satisfying match, attacks at both ends," Italy coach Marcello Lippi told Rai television.

"Even though it was a totally new team the lads did not feel the effects. They played with commitment, desire and enthusiasm."

Hamren is also in charge of Norwegian champions Rosenborg Trondheim at the moment, but in August he will take over the national team full-time following Lars Lagerback's resignation after Sweden failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Podolski was Germany's hero yesterday as his injury-time goal earned them a draw in their first game since last week's suicide of goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Germany took an 11th-minute lead when Guy Demel brought down Stefan Kiessling and Podolski sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The Ivorians equalised in bizarre fashion. Half-time substitute keeper Manuel Neuer attempted to clear a back pass but the ball bounced off Emmanuel Eboue and dribbled into the net.

Seydou Doumbia put the visitors in front after 85 minutes with a blistering drive before Podolski's late strike.

Irrepressible Spain thumped Austria 5-1 in a friendly to celebrate in style their return to the stadium where they won Euro 2008.

Austria, who failed to qualify for the World Cup and had Yasin Pehlivan sent off in the first half, took a shock lead through Jakob Jantscher after eight minutes but Cesc Fabregas levelled two minutes later.

David Villa then struck twice before half-time and substitutes Dani Guiza and Pablo Hernandez completed the rout early in the second half.

It was Spain's third five-goal haul in six outings.