Kallstrom the hero as Sweden seal qualification

SWEDEN sealed their place at Euro 2008 with victory over Latvia in Solna which rendered Northern Ireland’s bid to win in Spain irrelevant.

Marcus Allback opened the scoring within a minute of kick-off, but Swedish hearts were in mouths when Juris Laizans equalised after 26 minutes. Kim Kallstrom re-established the lead just short of the hour mark and Latvia never looked liked spoiling the hosts’ day.

Sweden got off to a dream start as they took the lead in the first minute.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided the cross from the right for Allback to head home from close range.

Sweden attacked relentlessly and Kallstrom tested Latvia goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko before Ibrahimovic fired wide.

When Laizans fouled Allback 20 yards from goal, Ibrahimovic was presented with another chance — but the Internazionale striker’s free-kick was held by Kolinko.

At the other end, Laizans twice served notice of his danger, first firing wide from 20 yards, then bringing a fine save from Sweden stopper Andreas Isaksson.

However, the Sweden defence allowed Laizans space and when the ball broke to him after 26 minutes his deflected shot left the sprawling Isaksson with no chance.

The hosts continued to attack after half-time, but Ibrahimovic fired over from 12 yards before Allback was wasteful from similar range.

The pressure told after 57 minutes when Sweden re-took the lead.

Fredrik Ljungberg on the right passed to Kallstrom, who swept the ball home left-footed from 20 yards.

The third goal would not come, but it mattered little as Sweden were left to look forward to a trip to Austria and Switzerland.

SWEDEN: Isaksson, Nilsson, Mellberg, Majstorovic, Edman, Wilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Svensson, Ljungberg, Ibrahimovic, Allback.

LATVIA: Kolinko, Gorkss, Stepanovs, Ivanovs, Zirnis, Rubins, Laizans, Astafjevs, Bleidelis, Karlsons, Verpakovskis.

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)