Sweden 1 Argentina 1
Sweden ousted pre-tournament favourites Argentina from the World Cup today after the pair drew 1-1 in a dramatic encounter in Miyagi.
The South Americans, as anticipated, dropped Juan Sebastian Veron and handed the captain's armband to Gabriel Batistuta. They also left out Diego Simeone, who was ineffective in the 1-0 defeat to England.
Argentina needed to win in order to qualify for the knockout stages and started the first half well despite missing a stack of chances.
In the second half, Sweden made their opponents pay for their blunders in front of goal. Southampton's Anders Svensson found the net with a stunning free-kick 14 minutes into the second half.
Andreas Andersson nearly made it 2-0 seven minutes from time but his shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out.
Javier Zanetti drove a furious low drive goalwards but keeper' Magnus Hedman saved brilliantly as Argentina grew increasingly desperate in the closing stages.
The Argentines were getting little change whatsoever out of a Swedish defence well-marshalled by Olaf Mellberg and Johan Myallby.
But they gained a lifeline after Mattias Jonson brought down Ariel Ortega and referee Ali Bujsaim pointed to the spot, leading to the equaliser.
Lazio striker Hernan Crespo, on for Batistuta, reacted quickest to Ortega's saved penalty and slide home the rebound to pull the sides level. However, Argentina could not find a winner despite four minutes of added time.
AFP