Sweden 1-1 N Ireland

Ivan Sproule shields the ball from Anders Svensson in Stockholm

A stunning individual goal by Kyle Lafferty earned Northern Ireland a deserved 1-1 draw in their Euro 2008 Group F qualifier in Stockholm.

Olof Mellberg gave Sweden a 15th-minute lead when he volleyed home from close range after Kim Kallstrom flicked on a Tobias Linderoth free-kick.

Lafferty equalised on 72, beating two defenders and curling a right-foot shot into the top corner of the net.

The result maintains Northern Ireland's mathematical hopes of qualification.

Interview: Nigel Worthington and Kyle Lafferty

Interview: Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes

Nigel Worthington's side received a pre-match boost when Freddie Ljungberg failed to start for the home side because of a lingering calf injury, Kallstrom taking his place.

Lafferty was well wide with a fourth-minute right foot shot and then Gareth McAuley made a great challenge on Johan Elmander as he bore in on goal.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on N Ireland's draw in Sweden

Lafferty then conceded the free-kick for Linderoth's free-kick which saw Mellberg sneak ahead of Aaron Hughes to apply the finish.

A minute later Healy's free-kick was palmed away by Andreas Isaksson and soon after Lafferty was yellow-carded for an innocuous challenge, meaning he will miss the next match against Denmark through suspension.

Maik Taylor palmed away a Zlatan Ibrahimovic right-foot shot on 28 minutes and Healy's 31st-minute overhead kick just cleared the bar.

Elmander chipped a shot wide of the post before the interval.

Chris Brunt shot just over the bar with a left-foot shot from 25 yards out after 59 minutes and Isaksson smothered a Healy effort before Lafferty levelled with his fine solo goal.

Kallstrom hit the bar with a free-kick six minutes from time and with a minute remaining Healy got his toe to a cross from the left but was just off target.

Ibrahimovic headed just wide when well placed in the final minute and Healy shot straight at the keeper in added time.

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Sweden: Isaksson, Concha, Mellberg, Hansson, Edman, Linderoth, Svensson, Wilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Ibrahimovic, Elmander.
Subs: Shaaban, Nilsson, Majstorovic, Johansson, Allback, Rosenberg, Ljungberg.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Hughes, McCartney, Craigan, Davis, Clingan, Brunt, Healy, Sproule, Lafferty.
Subs: Mannus, McCann, Webb, Jones, Capaldi, Robinson, Hamilton.
Referee: Bertrand Layec (France)