North Korea and Sweden finished tied with four points each, but North Korea advanced due to a better goal difference. Sweden needed to win by at least three goals to advance.

Charlotta Schelin scored both goals for the Swedes, who played to a 1-1 tie against Nigeria in their opening game of the group — a result that ultimately cost the 2003 World Cup finalists a quarterfinal place.

Sweden scored in the fourth minute when Therese Sjogran sent a cross to Schelin in front of the goal. The 5-foot-10 Schelin towered over a North Korean defender and easily headed the ball into the back of the net.

North Korea tied it in the 22nd after being awarded a free kick. The Koreans caught the Swedish defenders off guard on the play as Ri Un-suk ran a few steps and launched a long-range shot just under the crossbar.

Schelin burst between two defenders in the 54th minute to score the winning goal. Keeper Jon Myong-hui got a hand on the ball but it dribbled into the back corner of the net.

Sweden played more than half the game without star striker Hanna Ljungberg, who finished the World Cup without a goal. She came off the field after some heavy tackling just before halftime left her and teammate Karolina Westberg writhing side by side.