Ljungberg snatches vital win
Ljungberg snatches vital win
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Thursday, 15, Jun 2006 10:00
Freddie Ljungberg popped up in the dying seconds to give Sweden a vital 1-0 win over Paraguay in Group B.
The Swedes were minutes away from another goalless draw before the Arsenal midfielder made himself a World Cup hero.
The result means England will go through to the knock-out stages but the final group game will now be a direct shoot-out for the right to play the team that finishes second in Group A.
In a tight and fast paced first half Sweden were the more positive but Paraguay looked constantly dangerous on the counter attack.
Kim Kallstrom let fly with what is becoming the trademark World Cup 06 searing drive. His effort was deflected away from the top corner by a flying one handed save.
The next good chance fell to the iconic but at times idle Zlatan Ibrahimovic, his shot turned into a backpass as he looked to curl it in.
At the other end Nelson Valdez was causing all kinds of problems for the Swedes with his strong running, he fired in several shots after working little openings for himself.
In the second period Ljungberg moved into central midfield and drove his country forward with attack after attack.
Paraguay soaked everything up and continued to threaten at the other end. Marcus Allback was unlucky to be flagged offside after he was played through on goal.
Allback should then have given Sweden the lead. He brought down a high pass with just the keeper to beat. Aldo Bobadilla rushed towards the former Aston Villa striker but his chip bounced short of the goal line and was acrobatically cleared.
Then with the minutes running out Allback nodded the ball across the area and Ljungberg was there to keep Sweden's hopes of topping Group B alive.