• FT

    Sweden

    2

    Nigeria

    1

    Match
  • FT

    Spain

    3

    Paraguay

    1

    Match
  • FT

    Argentina

    0

    England

    1

    Match

WORLD CUP

Kobe Wing Stadium, Kobe, Japan

Referee: René Ortube

* Local time based on your geographic location.

Sweden

  • Henrik Larsson 35' •
  • Henrik Larsson 62' PEN •

2 - 1

FT

Nigeria

  • • Julius Agahowa 27'

  • 93'

    Sweden just about deserved that win for an excellent attacking performance, although Nigeria came close to levelling. They top the group now - the pressure's on England.

  • 93'

    Onigbinde said Nigeria could win the World Cup. Instead, they're out. Will he regret leaving Oliseh and George behind?

  • 93'

    West will pump ot forward but Mjallby heads it away again, Yobo gets the ball but the final whistle goes. Sweden have won!

  • 92'

    A Sweden throw near the corner flag - is there any way back for Nigeria?

  • 91'

    Ljungberg on the ball again - he's had a terrific second half.

  • 91'

    Three minutes added on - three minutes for Nigeria to avert defeat and ensure they are still in the World Cup.

  • 90'

    Utaka releases Aghahowa , Ikedia works it across to Kanu who goes for the chip... and Hedman holds

  • 90'

    Mellberg chips a quick free kick and Sweden have the ball. They're looking quite comfortable now.

  • 89'

    Magnus Svensson goes for the shot - it's blocked.

  • 88'

    More Nigerian possession, but the Swedes have nine men behind the ball and are very committed to holding on for the win.

  • 87'

    Sweden pass it around on the left wing before it goes out for a goal kick.

  • 87'

    Andreas Andersson wins Sweden a corner off the excellent Yobo. Chance to use up a bit more time.

  • 86'

    Utaka rose highest but couldn't get contact but Ikedia meets it at the edge of the box, darts to the byline and puts in a low cross which Hedman parries and West fouls him.

  • 85'

    Ikedia goes on a long winding solo run which ends when he is surrounded by about five Swedes. Kanu wins a free kick by the corner flag.

  • 84'

    Sweden have a Svensson for every mood - Anders when they're feeling attacking, Magnus when they want to defend.

  • 84'

    Sweden swap their Svenssons - the more defensive Magnus on for Anders

  • 83'

    But Nigeria still have it and Yobo has a go with his left foot from 25 yards. It beats the diving Hedman, hits the post and from the rebound Kanu is offside.

  • 82'

    Now Kanu tries to turn Jakbosson in the box but the defender wins the ball.

  • 82'

    ... but Mjallby is there to clear it off the line. The defender did well there.

  • 81'

    Okocha prods it through to Utaka, he rounds Hedman and shoots...

  • 81'

    It's about 30 yards out. Larsson touches it on for Svensson, but that's way too high.

  • 80'

    More neat passing, ends with West upending Ljungberg after a brilliant flick through his legs. Yellow card for West.

  • 80'

    Nigeria really don't look like scoring at the moment. Okocha's shooting isn't notable for his accuracy and Kanu's been anonymous.

  • 79'

    And Yobo's cross at the other end is eqaually easy for the goalkeeper.

  • 78'

    ... until Alexandersson's chipped cross is too close to Shoronmu.

  • 78'

    Nigeria back on the ball now, but they can't break through and Sweden counter attack with Ljungberg. It looked as though he was blocked off. No free kick but they keep the ball.

  • 76'

    Magnus Svensson is being warmed up by Sweden. Surely the uncompromising defensive midfielder's introduction will be an attempt to shut up shop.

  • 75'

    Ljungberg's down and in need of treatment now - it looks like a problem with his right leg.

  • 74'

    Okocha comes in from the left wing and has a go again... but Okocha is way off target again.

  • 73'

    Svensson releases Larsson on the counter atack. Superb pass, but the striker takes it too wide and Okononkwo robs him. A good chance for the hat-trick, but his first touch let him down.

  • 73'

    Christopher drills it in low and Sweden can clear

  • 72'

    Ikedia runs at the Swedes again and Lucic concedes another corner

  • 72'

    Andersson does well to flick it away but Okocha can cross again and West rises six yards from goal... but heads it down and wide.

  • 71'

    Ikedia makes a fine start, winning a corner straight away.

  • 71'

    Ogbeche is taken off and Ajax's Pis Ikedia is his replacement.

  • 70'

    Alexandersson is booked for time-wasting as he delays a throw.

  • 69'

    Ljungberg finds Andersson who gives Svensson chance to shoot. He has a go from 25 yards and Shoronmu gathers, but not very convincingly.

  • 68'

    West looks for Aghahowa and Mjallby makes a crucial interception.

  • 68'

    Nigeria have been uninspired so far this half - can Kanu provide the spark?

  • 68'

    Utaka shoots now, but it's perhaps the worst effort so far- very very wide.

  • 67'

    Ljungberg finds Andersson, he cuts in well and decides to shoot but the bandaged West blocks well.

  • 66'

    Alexandersson cuts in to put a shot high and wide.

  • 66'

    Nigeria make a substitution and it's Kanu who is coming on for Babayaro. An attacking change.

  • 65'

    Yobo tackles Svensson but Sweden have the ball back again - there hasn't been a Nigerian response to the goal yet.

  • 64'

    That penalty came from a poor kick from Shoronmu - but the Swedes took their chance after a much quieter second half.

  • 64'

    Allback departs and Andreas Andersson comes on up front.

  • 63'

    Sweden are planning a change as West changes his shirt.

  • 62'

    It's Henrik Larsson. GOAL! Shoronmu got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

  • 61'

    Ljungberg bursts through, it's deflected towards Larsson and Udeze tugs him down from behind... Penalty!

  • 61'

    Excellent tackle from Yobo to rob Ljungberg as the Swedes were finally given onside.

  • 60'

    West looks ready to return but FIFA, in the spirit of pedantry, are making him change his shirt first.

  • 59'

    Ljungberg releases Lucic, but it's another offside decision against the Swedes.

  • 58'

    Jungberg does well to dispossess Christopher but again the decision goes against Sweden.

  • 58'

    West is still off - it looks as though he needs stitches in that head wound

  • 57'

    Linderoth picks out Larsson with a 50-yard ball, He's given offside, perhaps unfortunately.

  • 56'

    Ljungberg overhits a pass now - Sweden aren't as fluent as they were in the first half.

  • 55'

    A bloodied West goes off to get treatment and Shornmu covers for his defender by coming out well to claim a Mellberg cross.

  • 54'

    Alexandersson puts in a deep header and Ljungberg performs a strange backheader to concede a throw.

  • 53'

    A quieter second half so far, but Christopher winds his way through and tries to flick a pass to Aghahowa. The forward's offside.

  • 52'

    Shoronmu meets Ljungberg's flick-on before Allback can get there.

  • 51'

    Sweden pressure but they can't work a shooting opportunity.

  • 50'

    It's a wasted journey though - Ljungberg's corner goes behind.

  • 49'

    Yobo tackles Allback well at the other end, but it's a Sweden corner and the big men have come up again.

  • 48'

    Nigeria break, Babayaro crosses and Hedman claims at the second attempt under pressure from Aghahowa - but the whistle's gone.

  • 48'

    Ljungberg releases a superb long ball to finds Larsson, he turns inside two defenders and goes down. No free kick.

  • 48'

    A spell of possession for the Nigerians and Yobo gets down the right wing again, but he can't fin a team-mate with the cross.

  • 46'

    And Nigeria start brighter as Ogbeche fires a shot wide. Only a half chance.

  • 46'

    No changes at half-time, but will either side find a winner.

  • 45'

    That's half time. A tremendous 45 minutes of attacking football, with Sweden deservedly equalising through Larsson after Aghahowa's goal. Both sides are trying to win it, and there should be more goals in the second half.

  • 45'

    Okocha's cross is too long for everyone.

  • 45'

    One extra minute is signalled - will there be still more drama?

  • 44'

    Larsson bursts though, helped by a fortuitous touch from West and pulls it back for Allback, but his shot is really weak.

  • 43'

    Mellberg puts in a low cross, Svensson dummies well and it only narrowly evades the Swedish strikers.

  • 43'

    Ljungberg breaks into the Nigerian box again but West denies him room to shoot.

  • 42'

    Ogbeche robs Jakobsson and could shoot here... but that's an excellent tackle by Mjallby

  • 42'

    Cleared, but Alexandersson chips it back in. Ljungberg's given offside but it's close

  • 41'

    Larsson in room on the left wing. He finds Ljungberg. The Swedes work it out to the right, Alexandersson crosses and Larsson goes for the spectacular volley. he doesn't connect but it's a corner.

  • 40'

    Okocha has a go from long range, but it's well wide from the Nigerian skipper.

  • 39'

    Ogebche finds Utaka, he'll go for the half-volley but it's a little high.

  • 37'

    ... it comes back off the post and Sweden can clear. Almost the best goal of the World Cup and not far from the funniest...

  • 37'

    ... but Lucic is back. He clears it - or does he, it's striaght at Mjallby and heading goalbound...

  • 37'

    Okocha goes on a superb solo run from rigth to left, he winds his way through the defence and can shoot. Hedman looks beaten..

  • 36'

    A fine response to the Swedes after going behind.

  • 35'

    GOAL! Sweden are level through Larsson and that's a superb goal.

  • 35'

    Ljungberg finds room in the inside left channel to pass it through to Larsson, he turns Okoronkwo and will shoot...

  • 34'

    Okocha tries to release Ogbeche with a 40-yard ball. Hedman comes out - somehow the ball evades everyone and the Swedish keeper recovers to claim.

  • 33'

    Svensson's got a knock, but it looks as though he'll be ok to contiue. The Swedes will hope so - he's been their best player so far.

  • 33'

    Excellent defensive header from Babayaro when Ljungberg lobs a pass in for Larsson.

  • 32'

    Anders Svensson makes a break from the half-way line and takes advantage of Allback's dummy run to get into a shooting position but Yobo deflects it over.

  • 31'

    Yellow card. Is Mjallby the first centre back booked for diving this World Cup?

  • 31'

    Svensson whips in a free kick, Allback turns it on and Mjallby goes down under Yobo's decision...

  • 30'

    Aghahowa gave us the celebration of the World Cup, with rather too many somersaults, cartwheels and handstands than could be good for you.

  • 29'

    Christopher tries to double Nigeria's lead, but he reverts to the earlier style of Nigerian finishing - high and wide.

  • 28'

    Can Sweden come back again as they did against England? They'll count themselves unlucky to be behind.

  • 26'

    GOAL! Aghahowa's glancing header goes in ahead. he got between the centre backs there.

  • 26'

    Yobo goes doen the right, crosses and Aghahowa comes in ahead of Hedman...

  • 25'

    Svensson switches play superbly to find Alexandersson but Ogbeche robs Mellberg to clear.

  • 24'

    Ljungberg gives it to Okocha who whips in a first-time ball. Aghahowa goes down under the challenge of Mellberg, but it's not a penalty.

  • 22'

    Svensson delivers, but it goes off Mjallby for a goal kick.

  • 22'

    Free kick given against West near the corner flag. Ljungberg's there again.

  • 21'

    ... but Christopher clears it off the line.

  • 21'

    Ljungberg himself takes it and picks out Mjallby who rises superbly to power a header at the bottom corner...

  • 20'

    ... But Ljungberg picks it up, he goes past two and gets a shooting chance, but it's a corner. Shoronmu saved well

  • 20'

    and Larsson breaks, he's into the penalty box and Christopher makes a superb challenge...

  • 20'

    Okocha tries to release Ogbeche but the covering Swedes do well to clear

  • 19'

    After a poor start, Nigeria are a lot more composed now.

  • 18'

    West surges down the right and fires in a cross Mjallby clears. Nigeria try again and the defender does well to stop Aghahowa reaching it.

  • 17'

    He shoots with real power... but once again it's gone high. Nigeria haven't tested Hedman yet.

  • 17'

    Udeze wins Nigeria a free kick just on the edge of the box by the left touchline. What can Okocha do?

  • 16'

    The Swedes are again looking to release the strikers quickly, but on this occasion Alexandersson overhits the pass.

  • 15'

    Okocha has a shot now, and in keeping with Nigeria's earlier effor, it's high, wide and fairly hopeless.

  • 14'

    Possession for Nigeria - they've not had much so far.

  • 13'

    Allback is adjdged offside, but once again it shows how easy it is for Sweden to get past theNigerian back three

  • 12'

    Babayaro should hvae looked to find a team-mate there.

  • 12'

    Okocha finds room on the right flank and puts in an excellent deep cross which beats the Swedes and finds Babayaro, but a really poor first touch from him enables Hedman to claim.

  • 11'

    Ljungberg links with Allback and the forward almost powers his way through to a shooting chance. Udeze makes an important tackle.

  • 10'

    Babayaro chips in a cross towards Aghahowa, whose hardly had a touch, but Hedman reacts quickest.

  • 9'

    Brilliant turn by Svensson to get away from one, he goes on and shoots from 20 yards... but just past the post.

  • 7'

    Allback thinks he's forced another corner off West - but the referee overrules the assitant and rightly gives the goal kick.

  • 6'

    First Nigerian shot as Udeze has a go from 25 yards. In a welcome return to the spirit of Mexico 86, it sails miles over the bar. Who said the balls had the right pressure?

  • 5'

    Fine skill from both Okocha and Ogbeche, twisiting and turning, though neither actually gets anyone.

  • 5'

    Terrific start from the Swedes - they've come out in the vein they finished against England.

  • 4'

    Larsson's got behind the Nigerian defence again and Okoronkwo concedes another corner.

  • 3'

    Ljungberg takes it again. he delivers deep and Mellberg comes in at the back post to attempt a Van Basten-esque half-volley from an acute angle. It's over.

  • 2'

    Corner. Ljungberg whips it in and Larsson gets a touch but Okoronkwo puts it over

  • 2'

    And Nigeria are caught out again as Larsson latches on to a long ball, beats Okoronwo for pace and finds Allback, whose shot is deflected wide.

  • 1'

    ... but it's Sweden with the first attack. Svensson finds Ljungberg, he's blocked by Larsson is following up for a shor which Nigeria scramble away.

  • 1'

    Nigeria kick off in Kobe in conditions which should suit them more than the Swedes.

  •  

    A draw here would suit both England and Argentina but it's a must-win clash for Sweden and Nigeria.

  •  

    Both sides are without key players today - Sweden's skipper Patrik Andersson and Nigeria's playmaker Kanu are both injured. But who will cope better?

COMPLETE TEAM CLOSE X
Goal Shot Video
  •  

  • Shots (on goal)

  • tackles

  • Fouls

  • possession

  • Sweden

  • 8(4)

  • -

  • 8

  • 0%

    0%

  • Nigeria

  • 18(5)

  • -

  • 12

Sweden

Line-up
POS No Name

G

 1 Magnus Hedman

D

 2 Olof Mellberg

D

 4 Johan Mjallby

D

 15 Andreas Jakobsson

D

 16 Teddy Lucic

M

 6 Tobias Linderoth

M

 7 Niclas Alexandersson

M

 8 Anders Svensson
M		 17 Magnus Svensson

M

 9 Fredrik Ljungberg

F

 10 Marcus Allbäck
F		 22 Andreas Andersson

F

 11 Henrik Larsson
 
Substitutes
POS No Name
M 17 Magnus Svensson
F 22 Andreas Andersson

Nigeria

Line-up
POS No Name

G

 1 Ike Shoronmu

D

 2 Joseph Yobo

D

 3 Celestine Babayaro
F		 4 Nwankwo Kanu

D

 5 Isaac Okoronkwo

D

 6 Taribo West

D

 14 Ifeanyi Udeze

D

 15 Justice Christopher

M

 10 Jay-Jay Okocha

F

 9 Bartholomew Ogbeche
F		 7 Pius Ikedia

F

 17 Julius Agahowa

F

 21 John Utaka
 
Substitutes
POS No Name
F 4 Nwankwo Kanu
F 7 Pius Ikedia

Match Stats

  • Sweden
  • Nigeria
8(4) Shots (on goal) 18(5)
8 Fouls 12
8 Corner kicks 2
3 Offsides 2
0% Time of Possession 0%
2 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 2