Eriksson (seated) as the England bench worry (Allsport)

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England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson

David Beckham secured England's first World Cup victory over their old adversaries since 1966 with a 44th-minute penalty in the Sapporo Dome.

Eriksson's side were forced to hang on as the South Americans fought back in the closing moments but the Swede was in no doubt that his side fully deserved their group F win.

Eriksson said: "It was a very difficult game but I think we deserved to win, we had more chances than them.

"In the last 15 minutes we had big problems, Argentina played very well and came forward with a lot of players.

"But we defended well and played with a big, big heart and that's important in football. It was a very important victory for us especially after our second-half performance against Sweden."

England now have four points after this success and their 1-1 draw with Sweden last weekend and qualification now depends on Wednesday's encounter with Nigeria.

Eriksson added: "From tomorrow we have to focus on Nigeria. If we can stay in the tournament I think we will get better and better. We had three, four, even five players at the start coming back from long-term injuries who were not 100 match-fit. With every game they play they will get better and better.

"All the players did a great, great job and I said thank you to them in the dressing room after the game.

"In the first game against Sweden we played some very good football during the first 35 minutes so I am not surprised that when we are focused a little bit that we can do wonderful things.

"We have to prepare for the Nigeria match like it was the final because now we have things in our own hands and it would be very sad, very stupid, to let it go.

"Nigeria were unlucky against Argentina and hit the post twice against Sweden so I think it will be difficult for us."

Eriksson said he could not afford to think about possible opponents in the next round.

"I will not dream about it - it's always dangerous in football to have a victory in your head before you play the match. I will think about it on Wednesday."

Argentina are now third in the group behind England and their final group opponents Sweden.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa said: "This was very disappointing.

"There were opportunities for both sides but we were unfortunately unable to take the chances we had.

"Sweden is now a very important match for us and not taking three points here makes it very difficult."