ENGLAND 2 SWEDEN 2, PARAGUAY 2 TRINIDAD 0 - GROUP B MATCHES REPORT
Report by Pez

England failed to break Sweden's curse over them though still topped Group B, while Trinidad and Tobabgo couldn't produce one of the all time World Cup shocks to make the knockout stage themselves, Sweden beating them to second place.

But the main cause for concern for England is the injury sustained by under-fire striker Michael Owen, as the Newcastle forward fell awkwardly after playing a simple pass and crawled off the pitch before being replaced by Peter Crouch after just four minutes.

Despite losing their main goalscorer, England, aided by the return of Wayne Rooney, went on to have the better of a first half in which they took the lead, Joe Cole volleying home one of the goals of the tournament from 25 yards to take England in ahead at the break.

However after the break, England struggled to maintain their hold on the game, and Sweden drew level when Marcus Allback stole in ahead of David Beckham to head his side level, despite Ashley Cole's best efforts to keep the ball out on the line.

Sweden caused England further problems from corners, Paul Robinson producing a save of real class after Henrik Larsson's header struck Jamie Carragher, Robinson tipping the ball onto the bar, while Olof Merlberg saw his shot skim the cross bar as England struggled to hold on.

But the introduction of Steven Gerrard from the substitutes bench to replace the disappointed Wayne Rooney appeared to give England a little more stability, and it was Gerrard who headed his second goal of the tournament and England's second of the match, as he rose unchallenged to meet a Joe Cole cross in the 85th minute to give Andres Isaksson no chance.

But England couldn't hold on, and in the last minute, John Terry failed to connect with a long throw and Sol Campbell misjudged the bounce, Larsson stole in the flick the ball past the desperate goal line defender Ashley Cole once again to give Sweden a point.

Meanwhile in the other final group game, Paraguay ensured they went home having at least one game as they beat a Trinidad and Tobago side who could have still made the second round if results went their way, two nil.

But Paraguay took the lead in the 25th minute when Brent Sancho headed a Roberta Acuna free-kick past his own keeper to give the South Americans the lead, and despite the introduction of Kenwyne Jones for defender Avery John for the Soca Warriors, Paraguay took control, and wrapped the game up in the 86th minute, when Nelson Cuevas slotted past Kelvin Jack after a neat one-two with Roque Santa Cruz.

England top the group having not lost a game, with seven points, while Sweden, who also remain unbeaten, finish second with five. Paraguay's win over Trinidad means they finish third on three points, while Trinidad exceeding the expectations of most by scoring one World Cup point in their first ever tournament, despite not scoring their first World Cup goal. England go on to play the runners up of Group A, Ecuador, who bear Argentina and Brazil in their World Cup qualifying campaign, while Sweden face Group A winners and hosts, Germany.

Player of the Group: Steven Gerrard - scored two goals late in games to ensure that England gather enough points to make it to the second round unbeaten. His fully committed, all energy approach saw him perform admirably, despite his side failing to hit top gear thus far, and with Owen's World Cup almost certainly over, could find himself on the scoresheet more frequently if he joins Wayne Rooney in attack.

Final standings: 1. England - 2. Sweden - 3. Paraguay - 4. Trinidad and Tobago

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