Sweden get deserved draw against poor England

England started well, going ahead through a Sol Campbell header, but then lost all rhythm in the second half. Sweden equalised through Niclas Alexandersson after a mistake from Danny Mills. David Beckham lasted only 60 minutes before going off due to fatigue.

After a bright start, England began playing a messy long ball game, which all too often resulted in Sweden regaining possession far too easily.

Darius Vassell was a positive note, causing numerous problems for the Swedish defence. Campbell scored the opener from a high quality corner from skipper Beckham, and Danny Mills had a decent game aside from his suicidal blunder.

After misjudging the pace on a back pass, Mills hastily cleared into the path of Alexandersson who finished clinically.

With Argentina on Friday, England will need to perform to a far higher standard if they are to qualify from the group.

England

Seaman, Mills, Ashley Cole, Ferdinand, Campbell, Beckham (Dyer 63), Scholes, Hargreaves, Heskey, Vassell (Joe Cole 74), Owen

Sweden

Hedman, Mellberg, Mjallby, Jakobsson, Lucic, Linderoth, Alexandersson, Ljungberg, Magnus Svensson (Anders Svensson 56), Allback (Andreas Andersson 80), Larsson

2nd June 2002