Anders Svensson and Okocha battle it out (Allsport).

By Jason Hughes, PA International, Kobe

Henrik Larsson scored twice as Sweden came from behind to beat Nigeria and take a big stride towards making the second round of the World Cup.

The Celtic striker cancelled out Julius Aghahowa's headed opener to leave the sides level going into half-time.

And Larsson hit the winner from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute as Sweden made it four points from two games following their 1-1 draw with England and send the Super Eagles out.

The Swedes had raced out of the blocks with Freddie Ljungberg, Marcus Allback and Olof Mellberg all threatening the Nigerian goal inside the opening three minutes.

Larsson's run into the box was then halted by Justice Christopher's dubious challenge in the 15th minute. However, seconds later it took the hand of goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu to stop Ljungberg, tipping the Gunner's effort around the post after a powerful run to the near post.

But the Swedes' went even closer in the 20th minute, with Christopher clearing Johan Mjallby's towering header off the line.

However they found themselves behind against the run of play in the 27th minute.

Joseph Yobo crossed from the right, Aghahowa beat Magnus Hedman and two Swedish defenders to the ball at the near post to flick his header into the far corner, cueing seven somersaults and a back flip from the striker in celebration.

Sweden were back on level terms eight minutes later when Ljungberg slipped the ball through to Larsson with the Celtic striker twisting and turning the Nigerian defence before poking home low past Shorunmu.

Two minutes later, a magical dribble from Jay Jay Okocha, now pulling the strings for the Super Eagles, almost put Nigeria back ahead. Although his final shot proved too weak, as it trickled towards goal Teddy Lucic blasted the clearance against Mjallby and onto the post.

After a slow start to the second half, with both sides looking off the pace, Sweden were gifted the winner in the 62nd minute as they went into the lead for the first time.

Shorunmu's poor kick went straight to Allback and after the ball was helped on to Ljungberg it fell to Larsson, who was hauled down by Ifeanyi Udeze in the area as he prepared to shoot.

The Celtic forward picked himself and stepped forward to beat Shorunmu from the spot, even though the keeper guessed correctly by going to his right.

Nigeria introduced Kanu, left out with a stomach injury, into the action three minutes later in a bid to stay in the competition, with Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro making way.

Taribo West, with his head bandaged after an earlier clash, should have levelled in the 71st minute, but he nodded wide when unmarked from Okocha's cross only five yards out.

Larsson could have had his hat-trick three minutes later, only to stall on his shot after being put clear to allow Isaac Okoronkwo time to get in a tackle.

Sweden needed Mjallby to clear off the line after a surging run from John Utaka in the 81st minute, while moments later Yobo hit the post with a 20-yard drive.

Kanu's chip just failed to catch out Hedman in the final minutes as Nigeria staged a late rally, but to no avail.

Teams

Sweden: Hedman, Mellberg, Mjallby, Lucic, Jakobsson, Anders Svensson (Magnus Svensson 84), Linderoth, Alexandersson, Ljungberg, Allback (Andreas Andersson 64), Larsson.

Subs Not Used: Daniel Andersson, Patrik Andersson, Antonelius, Edman, Farnerud, Ibrahimovic, Isaksson, Jonson, Kihlstedt, Michael Svensson.

Booked: Mjallby, Alexandersson.

Goals: Larsson 35, 63 pen.

Nigeria: Shorunmu, Yobo, Christopher, Okoronkwo, West, Babayaro (Kanu 65), Okocha, Ogbeche (Ikedia 71), Udeze, Aghahowa, Utaka.

Subs Not Used: Adepoju, Afolabi, Akwuegbu, Ejide, Ejiofor, Enyeama, Lawal, Obiorah, Opabunmi, Sodje.

Booked: West.

Goals: Aghahowa 27.

Att: 36,194

Ref: R Ortube (Bolivia).