Sweden's Fredrik Ljungberg (R) controls the ball against England's Wayne Rooney during the final round match of World Cup 2006 Group B in Cologne, Germany, June 20, 2006. -Xinhua

Sweden qualified for the World Cup knockout stage after they stormed back twice to hold England to a 2-2 draw in their final Group B tie in Cologne on Tuesday.

England, who had never beaten Sweden over 38 years, were on the edge of kicking away the jinx when substitute Steve Gerrard muscled in a header in the 85th mintue to put them 2-1 ahead.

But Sweden veteran striker Henrik Larsson turned the table around five minutes later when a throw-in left England's defence in disarray and Larrson capitalized to tuck the ball past England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

England, who won the group with 7 points, will play Ecuador in the next phase of sixteen, while Sweden are to meet hosts Germany.

England were the far more superior eleven in the first half with Joe Cole constantly charging down the left flank.

In the 34th minute, the Chelsea midfielder volleyed in a spectacular goal to put England 1-0 ahead.

Wayne Rooney, who started for the first time in the World Cup, and midfielder Frank Lampard also rattled Sweden's defence with powerful long shots.

But in the second half, England mysteriously became listless and Sweden began to take control.

Their efforts paid off six minutes after the break when striker Marcus Allback headed in a corner kick to pull it level at 1-1.

England's defence was put under huge pressure as the Swedes looked increasingly dangerous.

In the 60th minute, another corner-kick resulted in Olof Mellberg striking the ball goalwards and it clipped the top of the bar with Robinson beaten.

In the 73rd mintue, Gerrard, four minutes after coming on, saved England when he cleared a powerful shot from Kim Kallstrom off the line, with Robinson crawling on the ground looking on helplessly.