Dahlqvist strike downs North Korea

A goal midway through the second half by midfielder Lisa Dahlqvist earned Sweden a narrow victory against North Korea and proved sufficient to take them through to the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-finals.

The Scandinavian side, who opened their tournament with a 1-0 defeat of Colombia, might have won by a greater margin had Lotta Schelin taken one of her chances in the first half. With two minutes gone, the forward fired just over the bar after racing into the area, and she could only shoot wide after being sent clear by Caroline Seger just before the half-hour mark.

At the other end, Kim Su-Gyong missed a presentable opportunity after six minutes when she blazed over when well placed, and the same player's header later in the half lacked the power to trouble Hedvig Lindahl.

Thomas Dennerby's charges upped the tempo after the interval and Dahlkvist should have scored when Schelin teed her up only for the midfielder to lose control of the ball. Moments later, the 24-year-old's goalbound shot was blocked on the line, but she eventually made amends, finishing from close range after a skilful lay-off by Therese Sjögran.

The North Koreans almost drew level when Sara Thunebro headed Ri Un-Hyang's shot off the line, but Sweden, who face Group A leaders the United States in Wolfsburg on Wednesday to decide who wins the section, held on for victory. The United States moved ahead of Sweden on goal difference following a 3-0 win against Colombia thanks to strikes by Heather O'Reilly, Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd, which confirmed their, and Sweden's, quarter-final place.