Ljungberg double sees Sweden home
 |  Ljungberg's double has given Sweden an impressive lead in Group Eight |
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SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Two goals from Fredrik Ljungberg and another from Erik Edman gave Sweden a comfortable 3-0 victory over 10-man Bulgaria to increase their grip on World Cup Group Eight.
Midfielder Ljungberg gave the visitors an early lead in the 17th minute and after Bulgaria defender Georgi Markov was sent off just before the hour mark the Swedes wrapped up the win.
Ljungberg put Sweden ahead when he picked up a precise cross from Anders Svensson and curled an excellent shot into the bottom right-hand corner from 12 meters out.
The home side, who created few chances, pressed forward in search of an equaliser but suffered a blow when defender Markov was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Defender Edman then scored Sweden's second goal with an unstoppable 75th minute free kick before Ljungberg converted a penalty in the dying seconds after Bulgaria defender Elin Topuzakov pulled down substitute Marcus Allback.
The defeat means Bulgaria have still not beaten Sweden since 1967 although coach Hristo Stoichkov remains optimistic ahead of their next qualifier away to Hungary on Wednesday.
"There are another six games and they'll decide everything. We'll seek a victory against Hungary at any price and will wait for the match against Croatia. We still have a chance to qualify because surprises are possible," said Stoichkov.
Croatia up to second
Croatia cruised to a 4-0 win over a defensive Iceland side in the other Group Eight qualifier to stay within two points of leaders Sweden.
Two goals from Niko Kovac and one apiece by Josip Simunic and impressive striker Dado Prso sealed the victory that takes Croatia into second place above Bulgaria. Sweden are top with 12 points from five matches.
Croatia have 10 points from four matches with Bulgaria slipping to third on seven points also from four games.
Croatia piled on the pressure from the start against Iceland and hit the post twice before Kovac's close-range header put the home side ahead in the 39th minute from the first of a series of brilliant right-wing crosses by midfielder Darijo Srna.
Croatia put the game beyond Iceland's reach with two goals in five minutes in the second half as first Simunic in the 71st minute and then Kovac four minutes later scored from inside the box with Srna again the provider from the right.
Prso, the best player on the field, wrapped up the victory with a 20-meter shot in stoppage time.
Croatia can top the group with a win in Zagreb on Wednesday over Malta, who are bottom of the standings along with Iceland on just one point.
On the same night Bulgaria travel to play fourth-placed Hungary, who have six points from four matches.
