Must-win game for Sweden

“This will be our final and if we lose we should just start packing,” said Paraguay forward Nelson Haedo Valdez.

But Haedo Valdez has also taken heart from a narrow defeat in their opening game.

Sweden also believe they were unlucky in their first game. Coach Lars Lagerback said his team created 26 scoring chances but found Trinidad goalkeeper Shaka Hislop in inspired form. He was even upbeat about an incident after the first game between captain Olof Mellberg and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, described by Swedish media as a row which came close to blows.

But even the positive-thinking coach has concluded anything less than victory against Paraguay could leave Sweden with a big task. Thursday’s match should see the return of Sweden’s number one goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. Paraguay are deprived of their first choice keeper Justo Villar, who suffered a calf injury in the England game and is expected to miss the rest of the finals, and will be replaced by Aldo Bobadilla. Defender Delio Toledo injured his calf and has also been ruled out.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia); Assistant referees: Roman Slysko (Slovakia), Martin Balko (Slovakia); Fourth Official: Jerome Damon (South Africa); Stand-by: Enock Molefe (South Africa)

–Andrew Gray