Trevor Sinclair takes on his men.

By Mark Bradley, PA Sport Chief Soccer Writer, Osaka

With a steady stroll rather than an inspired canter, England qualified for the World Cup second round as they drew against Nigeria.

There will be few street parties at this result, but it was mission accomplished nonetheless.

Needing a point to reach the knock-out stages, that is exactly what Sven-Goran Eriksson's side achieved. It was no more certainly, but it was no less either.

Just ask Argentina, who amazingly joined France on the first round scrapheap by drawing with Sweden, whether they would prefer to have stumbled their way through.

England were indebted to another superb defensive display by Rio Ferdinand, aided and abetted by Danny Mills as well as Sol Campbell as the back-four held firm amid the heat of Osaka.

Ahead of them, England rather conserved energy, which is perhaps just as well as they now face a second round meeting with Denmark in Niigata on Saturday evening.

However, the real surprise was unfolding in Miyagi as the Swedes drew with pre-tournament favourites Argentina to top the group on the basis of scoring more goals than England to set up a second-round meeting with Senegal.

It was only 10 days earlier that Eriksson had compared the atmosphere in the England dressing-room to a "funeral" after they struggled through the second-half in Saitama to draw against Sweden.

This time, he had had promised a "nice and calm breakfast" for England fans at home and, despite a few first-half scares, that was exactly what his team ensured.

While Eriksson had kept faith with the side that broke the backs of Argentina, as Trevor Sinclair retained his place on the left, Nigeria made five changes following their elimination in losing to Sweden.

Kanu was injured, while Celestine Babayaro was on the bench but a Nigerian midfield led by Jay Jay Okocha still dominated the cautious opening exchanges.

England were lulled into a false sense of security by the Nigerians' low tempo before an incisive cross or a turn of pace suddenly caught them out.

Then again, with Ferdinand covering for all he was worth, it was still England who posed the first real threat as Mills, one of the few players who was playing at full pelt, burst forward on yet another overlapping run.

His first-time cross was met by Emile Heskey but keeper Vincent Enyeama managed to block the ball at the near post.

Eriksson's side were still lumbering the way through the game, however. You can tell when they are not in control as Beckham increasingly drifts inside.

There he was again, trying to direct operations from the centre of the pitch, while Owen also dropped deeper in search of space.

David Seaman was twice called on, firstly to parry a free-kick by Okocha, with the pacy Julius Aghahowa clipping the rebound wide, and then to parry a shot by Benedict Akwuegbu at the near post.

Finally, however, England started to impose themselves on the game as if, having conserved energy, they finally realised that they had to expend some.

Owen burst onto Beckham's through-ball and held off two defenders before his shot was deflected wide, while Mills teed up a drive just off target.

The uncertainty of keeper Enyeama at corners had looked Nigeria's weakest link, but he came to the rescue just before the break as he superbly tipped Paul Scholes' thunderous 30-yard effort onto the post.

Campbell's lazy pass almost sent through Akwuegbu but Mills and Ferdinand both swooped to cover and thereafter England at least started to dominate possession more.

Beckham twice sent free-kicks flashing over the bar and Owen just failed to reach Heskey's cross, but at least Sweden's goal against Argentina calmed nerves in the crowd somewhat.

With 22 minutes left, Eriksson again turned to Teddy Sheringham's wise head and sure first touch as he replaced Heskey. Still they could not relax completely.

Finally when they got a free-kick in prime Beckham territory, Scholes promptly wasted it and then, when Cole's cross invitingly set up Sheringham, he spooned his shot over the bar from just 12 yards out.

Darius Vassell soon joined the fray to save Owen's legs as the striker had never stopped running off the ball, while Cole also improved as the match went on although Wayne Bridge replaced him late on.

All in all, England had done just enough. They may not have topped their group but to have finished ahead of Argentina was still an achievement in itself.

Teams

Nigeria: Enyeama, Yobo, Okoronkwo, Udeze, Christopher, Sodje, Okocha, Opabunmi (Ikedia 86), Akwuegbu, Obiorah, Aghahowa.

Subs Not Used: Adepoju, Afolabi, Babayaro, Ejide, Ejiofor, Kanu, Lawal, Ogbeche, Shorunmu, Utaka, West.

England: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, Ashley Cole (Bridge 84), Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Sinclair, Heskey (Sheringham 68), Owen (Vassell 77).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Joe Cole, Dyer, Fowler, James, Keown, Martyn, Southgate.

Att: 44,864

Ref: B Hall (USA).