Sweden 1
Paraguay 0

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Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg grabbed a priceless late goal to grab a 1-0 Group B win that eliminated Paraguay at the World Cup last night.

Ljungberg headed the ball into the bottom corner in the 89th minute after a right wing cross was headed back across goal by substitute Marcus Allback to hand Sweden the points.

Ljungberg almost added a second in injury time with a long-range shot that Aldo Bobadilla pushed away for a corner as Sweden looked to finish off the plucky South Americans.

Bobadilla had produced several quality saves to keep Paraguay in the game but it was in vain as Sweden moved on to four points behind England who top the group after qualifying with six points by beating Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 earlier.

Before the goal, Allback had come closest to breaking the deadlock but his shot on the turn 10 minutes from time was well saved by Bobadilla, who was in outstanding form.

Roared on by a huge contingent of yellow-clad supporters among the 72,000 crowd at the Olympiastadion, the Swedes had piled on the pressure at the outset.

Midfielder Kim Kallstrom, promoted to the starting line-up after a strong performance as a substitute in Sweden's first match against Trinidad, which ended goalless, was a frequent threat to the South Americans' defence.

In the best moment of the first half, he forced an outstanding diving save from Bobadilla with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area.

Paraguay tried hard but were unable to create many clear-cut chances.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had an excellent opportunity to give Sweden the lead just before half-time but his weak shot from close range was easily gathered by Bobadilla.

The Paraguayan keeper faced a tougher test in the 54th minute when Henrik Larsson curled a free-kick round the wall but the Bobadilla got down quickly to push the ball wide.

Allback, a half-time substitute for Ibrahimovic, lobbed Bobadilla five minutes later only for Denis Caniza to hook the ball away just before it crossed the line.

Aftermatch comments

World Cup elimination was hard to swallow for Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz after his side lost to Sweden.

Ruiz gave a brief news conference, refused to answer questions and left.

"Sweden had more opportunities to score, they had more possession," he said. "It hurts but we have to congratulate the other team. Let me say that it is really deeply painful."

Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz said his team's final ball proved their downfall.

"We played a good match, we tried hard, but what was lacking was that last pass, that last push that you need to score," said Santa Cruz.

Sweden's match-winner Freddie Ljungberg said: "For much of the match we had the same problem as before.

"We created a lot of chances but couldn't score. Fortunately this time we ended up scoring."

Sweden: 1-Isaksson; 3-Mellberg, 4-Lucic, 5-Edman; 6-Linderoth, 7-Alexandersson, 9-Ljungberg, 21-Wilhelmsson (18-Jonson 68), 16-Kallstrom (17-Elmander 86); 10-Ibrahimovic (20-Allback 46), 11-Larsson.

Paraguay: 22-Bobadilla; 21-Caniza, 5-Caceres, 4-Gamarra, 2-Nunez; 6-Bonet (8-Barreto 81), 10-Acuna, 13-Paredes, 16-Riveros (19-Dos Santos 62); 9-Santa Cruz (20-Lopez 65), 18-Valdez.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).

Scorer: Ljungberg (89).

Half-time: 0-0; Attendance: 72,000.

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