Freddie Ljungberg's late header sparked Sweden's World Cup bid into life and gave them a deserved 1-0 win over Paraguay in Group B.

The Swedes had looked to be heading for another frustrating goalless draw in Berlin after firing blanks against Trinidad and Tobago - and that would have seen England top the group after their two wins.

But Arsenal star Ljungberg steered home an 89th-minute header which sent Paraguay home and gave the Swedes the incentive of winning Group B if they beat England in Cologne next Tuesday.

Sweden started Thursday's game more brightly Paraguay, with Kim Kallstrom catching the eye early on with a left-footed strike which drew a fine save from keeper Aldo Bobadilla, who also saved efforts from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Paraguay offered little in the first half, with Roque Santa Cruz drifting a 20-yard shot wide and Jorge Nunez's drilled strike narrowly off target.

Marcus Allback replaced Ibrahimovic at the break - and lifted a goalbound shot over the keeper on 59 minutes before seeing Denis Caniza hack the ball to safety.

Bobadilla saved Larsson's free-kick as the Swedes turned up the heat - and the pressure paid off in the dying stages, when Allback headed a cross back across the face of goal for Ljungberg to pounce.