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Argentina out as Swedes hang on

Batistuta
Batastuta was among disbelieving Argentine players who walked off  


MIYAGI, Japan (CNN) -- Argentina became the second shock World Cup casualty in two days after Sweden held them to a 1-1 draw to top the so-called "group of death."

The South Americans, one of the pre-tournament favourites, staged a grandstand finish after equalising two minute before the end, but could not force a winner and followed France in failing to qualify for the last 16.

Several of their players were in tears as they walked off the pitch, heads bowed.

In Wednesday's other Group F game, England got the draw they needed to go through, 0-0 against Nigeria. (Match report)

In Argentina, thousands of fans stayed up through the early hours to watch the game on TV. But hope turned to misery on a desperate day for the two-times champions.

IMAGE GALLERY
Joy for Sweden, despair for Argentina 
 
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Sweden soaked up everything Argentina could throw at them then hit them with a counter-punch thanks to Anders Svensson 59th minute curling free-kick. They play Senegal in the next round.

It would have been an easier finish for Sweden had Andreas Andersson's shot gone in instead of smashing the bar.

Argentina, who opened the group with a 1-0 win over Nigeria but then lost their second game 1-0 to England, made most of the running but Hernan Crespo's goal, following up after Sweden keeper Magnus Hedman saved Ariel Ortega's penalty after Ortega had been fouled, came too late.

Earlier, Hedman saved Juan Pablo Sorin's header from six yards. Sorin then sent another header over the bar and Claudio Lopez put a left foot volley into the side netting from a tight angle.

Svensson
Sweden's Anders Svensson scored in the 59th minute  

As Argentina's frustration mounted, substitute Claudio Caniggia was shown a red card for dissent and ordered from the bench on the stroke of half-time.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa said after the game: "I feel a great sadness and disappointment. To be favourites is a presumption prior to playing. Afterwards you have to confirm that in practice and we didn't."

His job is now thought to be in jeopardy in the football-mad nation which had hoped that World Cup success would lift it out of its economic doldrums.

"My contract finishes at the end of the month," he told reporters. "For now I have nothing to say. If I have to talk about it at the time I will do so."

Svensson said afterwards: "This is the best thing that's happened in my career. Everybody played really well. I really wanted to take that free kick."

Joint coach Lars Lagerback said: "It is fantastic to finish top of the group. We have a special group of players who all work for each other.

Stunned fans in Buenos Aires cafe
Stunned fans in Buenos Aires cafe  

"We knew we would have to defend well and we did. We were a bit lucky but we showed character."

After the loss, about 20 die-hard fans waved Argentine flags and chanted at the country's traditional rallying point, the obelisk in central Buenos Aires, which was also a staging ground for riots that killed 27 in December. The streets of the capital were otherwise deserted.

Argentina Pablo Cavallero; Jose Chamot, Walter Samuel, Mauricio Pochettino; Javier Zanetti, Matias Almeyda, Juan Pablo Sorin; Pablo Aimar; Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Claudio Lopez

Sweden Magnus Hedman; Olof Mellberg, Johan Mjallby, Andreas Jakobsson, Teddy Lucic; Niclas Alexandersson, Tobias Linderoth, Anders Svensson, Magnus Svensson; Marcus Allback, Henrik Larsson

Referee Ali Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates)





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