Sweden 2-2 England
Posted by Admin on 20/06/2006
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England have won group B and will face Ecuador in the last 16.
Eriksson's team did, however, make hard work of it, conceeding a poor injury time equaliser from a long throw and showing an amazing in-ability to defend set pieces.
There are serious additional concerns for Michael Owen who crawled off the pitch in some pain after an awkward fall just two minutes into the match and was replaced by Peter Crouch.
The Newcastle striker twisted his right knee and will undergo a scan to assess the damage.
England took the lead through Joe Cole's fantastic 34th minute volley which flew into the top corner of Isaksson's net, but Allback equalised shortly after the break, with a nearpost header from a corner.
The defending was poor, but worse was to follow as Sweden hit the bar twice from further corners.
The defensive problems were made worse when Rio Ferdinand limped out after 56 minutes.
Steven Gerrard replaced Rooney, who struggled to make an impact in the second half, after 69 minutes, and it was Gerrard who restored England's lead, heading in from a Joe Cole cross.
But England's Swedish curse would not be broken, as Henrik Larsson flicked in an injury time equaliser from a long throw.
The defensive frailties were a new problem for Eriksson, as is Owen's injury. The head coach once again did not turn to Walcott, choosing to flood the midfield in preference to bringing on the Arsenal teenager.
Once again, the performance brings more questions than answers and once again England must improve if they are to get through the next round.
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