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Last-gasp Ljungberg saves Sweden

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Ljungberg wheels away in delight after scoring Sweden's late winning goal.

SPECIAL REPORT

BERLIN, Germany -- Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg scored a priceless late goal to grab a 1-0 Group B win that eliminated Paraguay from the World Cup.

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.

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 lineup 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 keeper faced a tougher test in the 54th minute when Henrik Larsson curled a free kick round the wall but Bobadilla got down 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.

Ljungberg believed the Swedes deserved the three points. "I think we played well, better than against Trinidad and Tobago. We created enough chances to win the game," he said.

"But of course you get a little worried when you create that many chances and the ball doesn't want to go in.

"It was absolutely the best match I have ever experienced. The fans are never this crazy when we play at home. All the Swedes were screaming like mad," he added.

"The England match will be difficult but it will be a massive game as both teams want to win the group."

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