Soccer: Ljungberg goal edges out Paraguay

Sweden's Fredrik Ljungberg watches his shot go into the net past Paraguay's Aldo Bobadilla today. Picture / Reuters

BERLIN - Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg grabbed a priceless late goal to grab a 1-0 group B soccer win that eliminated Paraguay at the World Cup today.

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.

The Arsenal star 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 and Tobago 2-0 earlier today.

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

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

Midfielder Kim Kallstrom, promoted to the starting 11 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 Aldo 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 halftime but his weak shot from close range was easily gathered by Bobadilla.

The Paraguayan goalkeeper 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 halftime substitute for Ibrahimovic, lobbed Bobadilla five minutes later only for Denis Caniza to hook the ball away just before it crossed the line.

- REUTERS