MIYAGI, Japan (AP):

Argentina's Claudio Lopez looks pitiful after their clash with Sweden which ended 1-1 and eliminated them from the World Cup.

ANOTHER DAY, another favourite sent packing. Two-time champions Argentina followed in France's footsteps yesterday, falling out of the World Cup after a 1-1 tie with Sweden in Group F, a result that sent the Swedes to the second round.

Anders Svensson put Sweden in front, curling a 59th minute free kick past the despairing lunge of goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero following a careless foul on him by Matias Almeyda.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa had already brought on Hernan Crespo for captain Gabriel Batistuta, and threw on Juan Sebastian Veron and Kily Gonzalez in a desperate search for goals.

"We had 20 opportunities on goal, but the ball didn't go in the net," said Bielsa. "When it doesn't go in, it doesn't go in. I'm very sad and tremendously disillusioned."

Crespo equalised in the 88th minute, firing in a rebound after Ariel Ortega's penalty was saved by Magnus Hedman. Ortega hesitated before booting the ball and Crespo clearly entered the penalty area too early. But the goal stood, and the Argentines pressed for another that would push them into the round of 16.

In a frantic ending, Sweden had to desperately hold on. Javier Zanetti had a fierce shot from the right-hand corner of the penalty box parried by Hedman, and Pablo Aimar saw his effort cleared off the line. A free kick from Veron just failed to reach a diving Maurcio Pochettino at the far post.

"I can't say the last five minutes were enjoyable when you sit on the bench and just hope the players can stand up to it and do their job," said Swedish coach Lars Lagerback. "I think we were a little lucky today."

"(The result) is fantastic and it is important because we will have an extra day before next match and we will really need that after this game," he added.

In the first 45 minutes, Argentina were clearly the better side and looked on course to get the three points they needed to qualify for the second round.

Aimar and Ortega were linking up neatly in the middle, and repeatedly found space behind Sweden's full backs. But chances kept going astray.

The first culprit was midfielder Juan Pablo Sorin, who headed straight at Hedman following a 14th minute cross from Ortega.

Three minutes later, Aimar fed winger Claudio Lopez whose cross found Sorin who headed over the bar when well placed.

The Swedes were pegged back, pumping long balls up to striker Henrik Larsson in hope of a knock-on.

After 30 minutes, Argentina had another golden chance when Ortega's lofted cross from the right found Lopez, but his shot hit the side netting. Four minutes before halftime, Lopez fired well over the bar after a tenacious run from the lively Aimar.

Moments before halftime, Argentine substitute Claudio Caniggia and a member of the coaching staff were sent off after protesting a referee's decision.

Sweden started the second half on a more positive note, for once taking the game to Argentina.

After 55 minutes, Svensson fired a free kick from 30 metres wide of the post, and Argentina's defence struggled to get to grips with the runs of Larsson.

Argentina, though, again had a good chance. But Batistuta, well placed in front of goal, mistimed his jump following an inswinging cross from Javier Zanetti.

Sweden then made the crucial breakthrough. As Larsson stepped over the ball, Svensson sent an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net.

"I went crazy when I scored," Svensson said. "I was so happy I ran like a madman."

Argentina continued to press, with Ortega's runs and Aimar's vision testing Sweden's defence to the full.

Sweden, though, had a chance to put the game beyond doubt, but Andreas Andersson saw his shot canon back off the crossbar after he had wriggled his way into the box.

As the final whistle went, Sweden's substitutes came running on to the pitch to embrace their teammates. Argentina's players trudged off in disbelief.

"We're eliminated and it's impossible for me to believe," said Christian Gonzalez.

Added Juan Sebastian Veron: "This going to be very difficult for me to forget. We've lost a dream to win the championship, and it was one we shared with all Argentines."