Santa Cruz - on target for Paraguay (Allsport)

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Sweden's farewell party before jetting off to the World Cup was gatecrashed by Paraguay on Friday.

The Swedes, fielding an under-strength side, were 2-0 down in Stockholm at the break after strikes from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Paredes.

Andreas Andersson pulled one back at the start of the second half, but it was not enough to prevent Sweden, who fly to Japan on Monday, slipping to their first defeat in more than two years.

The hosts had rested several of their first-choice line-up with Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg and Southampton's Anders Svensson both missing.

However captain Patrik Andersson did return following a knee injury.

Bayern Munich striker Santa Cruz gave Paraguay, who will also be at the World Cup, the lead in the 17th minute when he converted Jorge Campos's left-wing cross.

Paredes made it two a minute before half-time, deflecting home Francisco Arce's free-kick past Magnus Hedman.

Former Newcastle striker Andersson netted a consolation nine minutes after the restart with a left-footed strike from outside the area.

Joint coach Lars Lagerback, whose side face England, Argentina and Nigeria in Japan, said: "In the second half we had five good chances and should have scored more than one, but I am not disappointed."

Former Italy coach Cesare Maldini claimed his first win since taking charge of Paraguay.

"Sweden are a good team, but today Paraguay were better," he said.