Argentina make shock World Cup exit

Group F
Sweden 1
Argentina 1

Argentina followed champions France out of the World Cup in the second major shock in 24 hours when they drew 1-1 with Sweden in their Group F decider yesterday.

Pre-tournament favourites, Argentina, who had lost 1-0 to England in their previous game, failed to get past the first round for the first time since 1962.

Argentina dominated possession but Anders Svensson curled a fine free-kick inside the top right corner of Pablo Cavallero's goal almost on the hour to put Sweden ahead.

In the dying minutes, Argentina, champions in 1978 and 1986, won a penalty. Ariel Ortega's shot was saved but substitute Hernan Crespo scored from the follow-up.

It was too little too late and another upset was added to a tournament full of surprises. After France and Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950, Argentina become the third former winners to fall at the first hurdle.

Sweden finish top of the "Group of Death" and go on to play Group A runners-up Senegal.

Argentina, who dropped captain Juan Sebastian Veron and made three other changes, dominated territorially and enjoyed 65 per cent of possession, but their finishing was poor despite carving out a number of chances.

Veron, Kily Gonzalez and Hernan Crespo were brought on in the last half hour for Matias Almeyda, Juan Pablo Sorin and the ineffectual Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina went all out to try and save the game and their tournament.

Right on the half-time whistle, Argentina suffered an extraordinary blow when substitute Claudio Caniggia was shown a red card for dissent while still watching from the bench.

Their best of the first half and the only one on target from both sides in a largely sterile first 45 minutes was a header by Sorin saved on his line by Magnus Hedman.

Argentina's poor finishing of elaborate moves continued in the second half and three players in a row failed to turn in Veron's free-kick.

As Argentina pushed forward in numbers, Sweden threatened on the break and were almost gifted a second goal when Mauricio Pochettino's clearance from substitute Andreas Andersson rebounded off Cavallero.

Henrik Larsson could also have added to Sweden's lead with a solo break but was booked apparently for diving when he was brought down behind by Gonzalez.

Lagerback hails Swedish teamwork

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback hailed his players' teamwork as the main reason for them finishing top of the group.

"We have a special group of players who are very team orientated, all working so hard for each other," he said.

"We were a bit lucky in the second half but we showed our character.

"We knew we would have to defend well and we did. It's fantastic to finish top of the group because it gives us an extra day to prepare our next game."

Midfielder Anders Svensson scored Sweden's goal with a stunning 25-metre free kick but he was substituted soon afterwards.

"Svensson was very tired, he had no gas left in the tank," Lagerback explained. "It was his choice to come off."

Sweden: Hedman; Mellberg, Mjallby, Jakobsson, Lucic; Alexandersson, Linderoth, A. Svensson (Jonsson 68), M. Svensson; Allback (Andersson 46), Larsson (Ibrahimovic 88).

Argentina: Cavallero; Pochettino, Chamot, Samuel; Zanetti, Almeyda (Veron 63), Sorin (Gonzalez 63); Aimar; Ortega, Batistuta (Crespo 58), Lopez.

Referee: Ali Bujsaim (UAE).

Scorers: A. Svensson 59; Crespo 88.

Red card: Claudio Cannigia 45 (was on substitutes bench).

Yellow cards: M. Svensson, Larsson; Chamot, Almeyda, Gonzalez 75.

HT: 0-0. Attendance: 45,777.