<text>  Italys controversial debutant Eder saved his adopted country from a major embarrassment with a fantastic late strike to lift spirits ahead of their friendly against England on Tuesday. Criticism aimed at Azzurri coach Antonio Conte for picking the Brazilian-born Eder named by his football-loving parents after the 1982 Brazil World Cup star of the same name was forgotten as the Sampdoria striker produced a brilliant finish after 84 minutes to preserve Italys unbeaten record in Euro 2016 qualifying Group H. Italy striker Eder left celebrates scoring late equaliser with coach Antonio Conte . Eders late strike extended Italys unbeaten run in Euro qualifying to 45 matches . Bulgaria 4-2-3-1: Mihailov, Manolev, Bodurov, Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Minev, Gadzhev, Dyakov, Milanov Ventsislav Vasilev 88, Popov Slavchev 85, Mihail Aleksandrov, Mitsanski Bojinov 73. Subs Not Used: Stoyanov, Bandalovski, Stoychev, Terziev, Malinov, Chochev, Tonev, Radoslav Vasilev, Mitrev. Booked: Dyakov. Goals: Popov 11, Mitsanski 17. Italy 3-5-2: Sirigu, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Antonelli Gabbiadini 77, Candreva, Verratti, Bertolacci Soriano 71, Darmian, Zaza Eder 58, Immobile. Subs Not Used: Marchetti, Moretti, Cerci, Ranocchia, Valdifiori, Parolo, Pelle, Vazquez. Booked: Immobile, Soriano,Darmian. Goals: Minev 4 og, Eder 84. Att: 6,000 . Ref: Damir Skomina Slovenia. Eder Citadin Martins, to give him his full title, turned brilliantly on the edge of the penalty area and hammered a right-foot curler that gave goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov no chance. Ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, now in charge of Inter Milan, was among those who opposed his selection and said the Azzurri should only pick Italian-born players. Eder didnt move to Italy until he was 16. His late equaliser saved Italy from a major humiliation in rain-soaked Sofia. Despite being gifted an early lead with an own goal, Contes team then capitulated to trail 2-1 after 17 minutes against opponents who had only managed to beat Azerbaijan in their other four group games. Even so, the Italian manager now faces an uncertain reception in Turin against Roy Hodgsons Three Lions with Juventus fans also blaming him for a knee injury to midfielder Claudio Marchisio sustained in Azzurri training on Friday. Italian Football Federation President Carlo Tavecchio claimed on Saturday that death threats issued over the internet against Conte had left the manager shaken and angry. Conte left Juventus to replace Cesare Prandelli after last summers World Cup and he rounded on his critics after Saturday nights draw by saying: I am Ok but I dont forget. You can draw your own conclusions. Ivelin Popov equalised for Bulgaria with an 11th-minute strike on Saturday night . Kuban Krasnodar midfielder Popov celebrates his goal against Italy in Sofia . Ciro Immobile of Italy challenges Aleksandar Aleksandrov and goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov . In terms of the performance and the chances created, we deserved the victory. Its a shame, as we achieved the bare minimum with the utmost effort in an arena that is traditionally difficult. I liked the lads, we dominated the game and they were restricted purely to counter-attacks. Bulgaria are a far cry from Hristo Stoichkovs side that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1994. And the match seemed to be going according to the formbook after four minutes when goalkeeper Mihaylov pushed a cross into the path of defender Yordan Minev who couldnt help it crossing the line for an own goal. Without legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who was taken ill with flu shortly before the match, Italys traditionally-strong rearguard was left all at sea. Italy struck early when goalkeeper Mihaylov pushed a cross into the path of defender Yordan Minev . Bulgaria hit back when Georgi Milanovs pinpoint cross to the far post was headed home by Ilian Micanski . Bulgarias Ivelin Popov, right, and Italys Leonardo Bonucci battle for control in torrential rain . Bulgarias Ivelin Popov, 2nd left, takes free-kick at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia . Paris St Germain No1 Salvatore Sirigu didnt look a bad replacement but he had no chance with Bulgarias equaliser after 11 minutes when Ivelin Popov took advantage of a back-pedalling defence to arrow in a low shot from 18 yards. Incredibly, Bulgaria then quickly went ahead. Italian striker Simone Zaza carelessly lost the ball by the halfway line going for a mazy dribble and the home side counter-attacked at speed. Georgi Milanovs pinpoint cross to the far post was aimed for Ilian Micanski and he got ahead of sluggish defender Andrea Barzagli to expertly headed in beyond Sirigu. It was beyond the dreams of the Bulgarian fans, most of whom were getting thoroughly soaked by a torrential downpour. In fact, the National Stadium was only half-full because of low expectation among home fans but those who turned up were rewarded. Conte sent on Eder for Zaza as a desperate measure to salvage a point and it worked. Italy, second in their group, are now firm favourites to qualify for Euro 2016 alongside leaders Croatia who they face in Zagreb in June. Conte will definitely be without Marchisio for Englands visit even though initial reports the midfielder suffered ligament damage look unfounded with medical tests showing nothing more serious than a sprain while Buffon will do his best to return from his illness. The only Premier League player on show, Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, was an unused substitute for Italy but could face England and his Saints team-mate Nathaniel Clyne this week. 