Sweden 2-3 England: Welbeck winner settles close contest

STV

England boosted their hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a hard-fought win against Sweden in Kiev.

Andy Carroll gave England the lead with a thunderous header from a Steven Gerrard cross in the 23rd minute.

Roy Hodgson's side remained in command for the duration of the first half but couldn't add to their solitary goal and paid the price in the second half.

A defensive mix-up allowed Olof Mellberg space in the box after a free-kick and the former Aston Villa defender scored from close range after 49 minutes.

Ten minutes later Sweden had the lead and Mellberg was again the scorer. Seb Larsson floated a ball to the back post and the Swedish defender was perfectly positioned to direct a downward header past Joe Hart.

England introduced Theo Walcott at the expense of James Milner and the Arsenal forward levelled for England three minutes later. Walcott fired in a shot from 20 yards after Sweden failed to clear.

England scored what proved to be the winner with 12 minutes to go. Theo Walcott set up Danny Welbeck and the Manchester United forward produced a clever finish to divert the ball past Andreas Isaksson.

Hodgson's side can now guarantee themselves a place in the knock-out stages if they defeat Ukraine on June 19.

Sweden now cannot qualify after successive defeats in their first two games.

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