Former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg rose to meet Jesus Datolo's free-kick but planted his header wide of the post.

BBC: Olympiakos 0-1 Bordeaux

Worse was to follow for England 10 minutes later, when Mellberg scored from another free kick, albeit by a more conventional route.

WSJ: Euro 2012: England Beats Sweden 3-2

The Scandinavians, needing a win, then went in front when Mellberg rose unmarked to head home his second goal from Sebastian Larsson's free-kick.

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The Manchester United man's cheeky backheel sealed the points for England after Olof Mellberg's brace for Sweden had threatened to derail their more illustrious opponents.

CNN: France reign in Ukraine rain

"It was our idea to create a homogenous population, " says Mellberg.

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The Villa boss will hope that the return of central defender Mellberg from a hamstring injury and 10-goal Baros following an ankle problem will help to improve the club's fortunes.

BBC: Mellberg (left) and Baros have been troubled by injury

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the set-piece against the wall before his miscued volley fell to Mellberg, whose shot was parried by Joe Hart only to bounce off Glen Johnson and over the line.

CNN: France reign in Ukraine rain

Sorensen's mistake ensured Blues did break the deadlock shortly after half-time, the ball squirming under his body at the near post after Heskey had shrugged off Martin Laursen and taken the ball wide of Mellberg.

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When Olof Mellberg headed in his second goal after halftime to put Sweden in front, England was at the bottom of Group D, headed for elimination and looked every inch a cast of inept bunglers.

WSJ: Euro 2012: England Beats Sweden 3-2

Ibrahmovic struck a powerful shot into the English defensive wall and then sliced his follow-up, but the ball squirted through to Mellberg, whose scuffed effort dropped over the line, despite an attempted clearance by Glen Johnson.

WSJ: Euro 2012: England Beats Sweden 3-2