England came from behind to beat Sweden for the first time in a competitive fixture after their Euro 2012 campaign flirted with danger in a thriller in Kiev.
Andy Carroll's superb first-half header allowed England to establish comfortable control - but poor defending allowed Olof Mellberg to score twice and put Sweden ahead before the hour.
England manager Roy Hodgson required inspiration and found it in the shape of substitute Theo Walcott as the Arsenal attacker turned the game around with a spectacular equaliser and a penetrating run to set up Danny Welbeck's deft winner with 12 minutes left.
Hodgson's side had been derided in some quarters for their conservative approach in the opening 1-1 draw with France but there could be no complaints about the entertainment value on offer here in Ukraine - although not all of it was intentional or admirable.
He will take heart from England's positive response to adversity but will be hugely concerned that trouble came as the result of a collective lapse of defensive concentration that gave Sweden an all-too-easy route back into this contest.
England know a draw against co-hosts Ukraine in Donetsk next Tuesday will put them through to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, but they will face a team with ambitions of their own in that direction in what will be a hostile atmosphere inside the Donbass Arena.
Hodgson's plan was clear and was revealed by Carroll's recall. Sweden's defence had a weakness in the air and England were intent on probing it.
England's first threat came from midfield man Scott Parker when he saw his rising 25-yard shot clawed away by Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.
And there was a hint of things to come when Welbeck rose to meet James Milner's cross but his glancing header was weak and lacked the direction to trouble Isaksson.
When England broke the deadlock it came from a move that was straight from Hodgson's strategy both in creation and execution.
Gerrard's cross from the right wing was met by the soaring figure of Carroll as he got in between Andreas Granqvist and Mellberg to power a header past Isaksson.
Sweden were carrying few attacking threats, although the ease with with Zlatan Ibrahimovic brushed Parker off the ball and then won a straight race with a ponderous-looking John Terry were causes for concern.
Kim Kallstrom shot just over after Glen Johnson lost possession and Hart had to dive at the feet of Johan Elmander as the Swedes attempted to restore equality before the break.
After looking relatively settled, England were set back by a scrappy mess of an equaliser for Sweden four minutes after the restart. Ibrahimovic's free-kick, conceded needlessly by Carroll, was not cleared and allowed Mellberg to bundle the ball into the net via Hart's hand and an attempted clearance by Johnson.
Sweden had emerged with a sense of purpose they never showed in the first half and were ahead just before the hour - but once again England were guilty of defending in a manner that manager Hodgson will find unacceptable.
Mellberg was allowed to rise unmarked amid a mass of dozing defenders to meet Seb Larsson's free-kick and send a downward header past Hart as England's players looked bemused at the fate that had befallen them.
Hodgson's reaction was to introduce Walcott for Milner and it was a change that reaped a rich reward as the Arsenal attacker player a decisive part in England's recovery.
Walcott's swerving finish brought England level after 64 minutes then his darting run into the area and cross allowed Welbeck to apply an instinctive back-flick finish.
In the closing moments captain Gerrard could have given the scoreline a more convincing appearance but Isaksson did brilliantly to block his close-range volley.
The victory was secured, but Hodgson and England will be well aware they flirted with danger courtesy of their own carelessness.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)
Sweden
- 01 Isaksson
- 03 Mellberg Booked
- 04 Granqvist (Lustig - 66' )
- 05 Mn Olsson
- 13 Olsson Booked
- 06 Elm (Wilhelmsson - 81' )
- 07 Larsson
- 08 Svensson Booked
- 09 Kallstrom
- 10 Ibrahimovic
- 11 Elmander (Rosenberg - 79' )
Substitutes
- 12 Wiland
- 23 Hansson
- 02 Lustig
- 15 Antonsson
- 17 Safari
- 16 Wernbloom
- 18 Holmen
- 19 Bajrami
- 21 Wilhelmsson
- 14 Hysen
- 20 Toivonen
- 22 Rosenberg
England
- 01 Hart
- 02 Johnson
- 03 Cole
- 06 Terry
- 15 Lescott
- 04 Gerrard
- 11 Young
- 16 Milner Booked (Walcott - 60' )
- 17 Parker
- 09 Carroll
- 22 Welbeck (Oxlade-Chamberlain - 89' )
Substitutes
- 13 Green
- 23 Butland
- 05 Kelly
- 12 Baines
- 14 Jones
- 18 Jagielka
- 07 Walcott
- 08 Henderson
- 19 Downing
- 20 Oxlade-Chamberlain
- 21 Defoe
Ref: Skomina
Att: 70,000
Live Text Commentary
90:00+4:08Full time
Full TimeThe game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00+3:45
Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Jonas Olsson goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
90:00+1:51
A cross is delivered by Theo Walcott, Shot by Steven Gerrard from 12 yards. Andreas Isaksson makes a save.
90:00+0:20
Steven Gerrard has an effort direct from the free kick.
90:00+0:20Booking
BookingThe referee cautions Anders Svensson for dissent.
90:00+0:09
Sebastian Larsson is penalised for a handball.
88:55Substitution
SubstitutionAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Danny Welbeck.
87:11
Corner taken left-footed by Kim Kallstrom from the right by-line, save made by Joe Hart.
86:00
Joleon Lescott challenges Markus Rosenberg unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kim Kallstrom from right wing, clearance by Andy Carroll.
84:27
Ashley Cole fouled by Anders Svensson, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ashley Young from left wing, clearance by Martin Olsson.
83:44
Anders Svensson sends in a cross.
81:22
Effort on goal by Scott Parker from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
81:04
The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig, Andy Carroll manages to make a clearance.
80:30Substitution
SubstitutionChristian Wilhelmsson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rasmus Elm.
78:47Substitution
SubstitutionMarkus Rosenberg on for Johan Elmander.
77:16
Assist on the goal came from Theo Walcott.
77:16Goal scored
Goal - Danny Welbeck - Sweden 2 - 3 EnglandDanny Welbeck scores a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Sweden 2-3 England.
77:15
The ball is delivered by Theo Walcott,
76:10
Sebastian Larsson takes the inswinging corner, save by Joe Hart.
75:55
Effort on goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic from 25 yards. Save by Joe Hart.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association
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