Sweden came from behind twice to hold England 2-2 in the final day of Group B action on Tuesday as both sides secured qualification to the second round of the World Cup. Joe Cole's 34th minute strike was cancelled out by an equally brilliant Marcus Allback header six minutes from restart. Steven Gerrard came off the bench to regain the lead for the Three Lions and just as English fans were about to celebrate their first win over the Swedes since 1968, veteran ace Henrik Larsson grabbed a shocking 90th minute equalizer. The result means England, who topped their Group B with a 7 points, will face Group A runners up Ecuador while second placed Sweden will take on hosts Germany in the round of 16 after bagging 5 points. The enticing match got off to a sad start when England striker Michael Owen sustained a knee injury in the second minute. The Newcastle player was stretched off the field after his right knee buckled beneath him. England were the better side in the first-half and capped their performance by a spectacular goal in the 36th minute. Chelsea midfielder Cole received the ball at the edge of Sweden area and unleashed a screaming volley into the far top corner of Andreas Isaksson's net. A rejuvenated Swedish side took the pitch after restart and managed to pull an equalizer when Allback towered to head home a Tobias Linderoth corner-kick in the 51st minute.
The Swedes took charge of the second-half in terms of possession and chances taken and were a complete menace for the English defense in the air. England coach Sven Goran Eriksson fielded Gerrard for Wayne Rooney who seemed upset to be substituted. Eriksson's substitution paid off when the English sucker-punched Sweden with an 85th minute goal. Joe Cole sent a brilliant curling cross to the unmarked Gerrard who buried a deft header past Isaksson at the far post. England's celebrations were short-lived as Larsson poked home from a long throw in with seconds left to play. Elsewhere, Paraguay clinched third place in the group when the beat Trinidad and Tobago in Kaiserslautern. T&T player Brent Sancho headed the ball into his own net to Paraguay in front after 25 minutes. Nelson Cuevas scored an 86th minute goal to give Paraguay their only win of the tournament as both sides were sent packing. Sweden will play Germany on Saturday while England face Ecuador on Sunday in the round of 16.
