Late Ljungberg goal sends Paraguay home

Freddie Ljungberg sent Sweden into raptures - and to the brink of qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup - with a last-gasp header against Paraguay. The Arsenal midfielder scored with less than two minutes left of normal time to secure a 1-0 win and break Paraguay's hearts - and at the same time guarantee England's qualification for the next round.

The Swedes now need a draw against England - and they have not lost against them for 38 years - while Trinidad and Tobago would have to beat Paraguay and hope Sweden lose.

It had been such a struggle for the Swedes, who must have feared a replay of their goalless draw with T&T.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic's extravagant talents appearing to have deserted him, until Ljungberg popped up their search for goals had been hampered by a combination of bad luck, determined defending by Paraguay and poor finishing.

There was certainly no lack of creativity about Sweden, with most of the good things flowing from Ljungberg and Kim Kallstrom, who had been restored to the side by coach Lars Lagerback.

Paraguay though were as resolute as they had been against England and looked more inclined to prevent defeat than seek out victory. They so nearly succeeded.

Ljungberg had looked the player most likely to break through from the early stages when his first run was halted in its tracks by a cynical Denis Caniza tackle that earned the Paraguay defender a yellow card.

Kallstrom struck a fantastic left-footed shot from 25 yards after picking up Ibrahimovic's chested pass but Aldo Bobadilla pulled off a tremendous diving save.

The Swedes continued to press and Christian Wilhelmsson fired inches wide after being set up by Henrik Larsson.

Ljungberg inspired another attack down the left and Ibrahimovic should have done better but his ball aimed at Larsson was careless.

Kallstrom drove in a thunderous volley from 30 yards that was too high but sparked an impressive Mexican wave from the 72,000 fans, overwhelmingly Swedish, in the Olympic Stadium.

Wilhelmsson gave Paraguay another let-off when put through by Ljungberg but his first touch let him down.

After 32 minutes Paraguay finally created a decent chance but Roque Santa Cruz snatched at his shot from the edge of the box and watched the ball fly wide.

His strike partner Nelson Valdez then tried his luck but was no closer with a wild volley.

At the other end Henrik Larsson nipped in to threaten with a header, but it went straight into Bobadilla's arms, then Cristian Riveros lifted a shot over the Sweden crossbar from distance.

Isaksson had had little to do and was almost surprised by a flashing angled drive from left-back Jorge Nunez then Ibrahimovic continued his wastefulness with a feeble finish after being presented with a decent opportunity inside the Paraguay penalty box.

The Juventus striker found himself substituted at the break with Marcus Allback, once of Aston Villa, coming on in his place.

But it was Paraguay who threatened first to break the deadlock with Nelson Valdez turning away from two defenders before hammering the ball into the side-netting.

Valdez drove wide again after turning past Olof Mellberg, then Bobadilla turned aside Larsson's fierce free-kick after Ljungberg had been felled right on the edge of the box.

Roberto Acuna sent a low strike thudding into Isaksson's arms, before a poor offside decision saw Kallstrom halted with the goal at his mercy.

Sweden thought they had done it when Tobias Linderoth's ball over the top caught Paraguay flat-footed and Allback lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper but Caniza arrived in the nick of time to acrobatically hook the ball off the line.

Wilhelmsson stroked a first-time drive past the far post and Larsson headed over the bar, but still a goal would not come.

Finally, salvation arrived with two minutes left for the Swedes, thanks greatly to substitute Johan Elmander who delivered a peach of across to Allback at the far post.

He chose wisely to head back across the six-yard box rather than go for goal himself and there was Ljungberg arriving in the nick of time to direct a header into the net.

The Arsenal player nearly made it 2-0 in injury time but saw his strike turned aside by the Paraguay keeper, however it mattered not, and the Swedes celebrated as though they had won the World Cup itself.