Win masks Sweden's struggle to find net

Berlin: Sweden's struggle to overcome an unimpressive Paraguay 1-0 in the World Cup Group B highlighted the enigma at the heart of the Scandinavian team.

The same side who strolled through qualification for the finals, scoring 30 goals and conceding just four, have laboured to find the net in their first two games in Germany.

Despite boasting players from top clubs such as Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona, the Swedes could not convert a string of chances on Thursday night at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Freddie Ljungberg finally headed their first goal of the tournament in the 89th minute of the Group B match on Thursday, which looked to be heading for a goalless draw like the Swedes' first outing against Trinidad & Tobago.

Sweden also struggled in their preparation for the World Cup, managing just two goals in five warm-up matches.

Coach Lars Lagerback said he hoped Ljungberg's goal would help his players shake off worries about their form.

"Every win is good for the psychological situation in the squad," he said after the match.

"There was some difference between the locker room tonight and after the last match. I think it will lift the team."

The headlines of Swedish newspapers Svenska Dagbladet and Expressen both read "FINALLY" - expressing relief that the national team had at last managed to score.

The dramatic winner put a positive gloss on what was often a disappointing match in terms of the football on offer.

But Sweden still stand a very good chance of making the next round. They play England in the final Group B match in Cologne on Tuesday and a draw would ensure they qualify. England after their win against Trinidad and Tobago are already assured of a spot in the last 16.

Sweden's players could take a lesson in skill from their fans, who seemed to have cracked the World Cup ticketing system to pack the Olympiastadion with raucous yellow-clad supporters.

"It's absolutely fantastic to have a stadium with 45-50,000 Swedes," Lagerback said.

"I wonder if the national team will experience that again, almost 50,000 people in the stands."