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Win enough to put Sweden in finals
![]() Ibrahimovic (center) celebrates his equalising goal in Sweden's win STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Sweden eased through to the World Cup finals with a 3-1 home win over Iceland after recovering from a goal down midway through the first half. The Swedes qualified as one of the two best runners-up after Croatia drew 0-0 in Hungary to top Group Eight by virtue of a better head-to-head record. Iceland's Kari Arnason gave the visitors a shock lead when he drilled the ball past Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson in the 25th minute. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised for Sweden four minutes later, pouncing on a loose header out of defence. He then set up Henrik Larsson for Sweden's second with a sweet chip over the defence which the Barcelona player converted with a lofted volley into the right hand corner of the Iceland goal just before the break. Sweden dominated the second half and substitute Kim Kallstrom scored their third goal in stoppage time. Draw leaves Croatia on topMeanwhile, a 0-0 draw in Budapest secured Croatia top spot. The Croatians went into the match having already clinched their place at next year's Word Cup in Germany and came closest to scoring when striker Bosko Balaban's curled shot hit the crossbar in the 44th minute. The point meant they topped the group on 24 points, the same tally as Sweden. Wednesday's match was interrupted after 25 minutes when Croatia supporters threw fireworks into the area behind the Hungarian goal. Riot police had to move in to deal with fighting on the terraces and play was delayed for two minutes. Hungary, who finished fourth in the group on 14 points, came closest to scoring when Zsolt Baranyos lobbed Croatia goalkeeper Tomislav Butina, only to see his effort come back off the crossbar. "We came here to get the result, which was a draw," said Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar. "We got that, so we are happy. "Hungary were extra-motivated, therefore we had to be careful and the main thing was not to concede a goal." Kranjcar said he hoped his side could emulate their third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup. "I've already told my players, the hard work is still ahead of us. I think if we can prepare well, the team can reach the heights of the 1998 team." Hungary's German coach Lothar Matthaeus congratulated his counterpart and was full of praise for Croatia. "Consistency, that is why Croatia won the group."
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