So it proved.

After six tense games in Group F, England and Sweden garnered enough points to advance to the second round, sending home Nigeria and pre-tournament favorite Argentina.

How close was it?

Two-time champion Argentina would have gone through with one more goal in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Sweden.

The South Americans fell behind on Anders Svensson's 59th-minute strike and leveled with Hernan Crespo in the 88th minute, who followed up Ariel Ortega's missed penalty.

Simultaneously Wednesday, England earned the point it needed, tying Nigeria 0-0 in a dull game in Osaka with Paul Scholes' shot against the post the most exciting moment.

Had the Argentines stolen a late goal and won 2-1, they would have topped the group, advancing with England and leaving Sweden out.

As it was, Sweden finished first with five points with one win and two draws. England was second, also with five points but trailing Sweden with fewer goals.

Sweden faces Group A runner-up Senegal in Oita, Japan, on Sunday. England will meet Group A winner Denmark in Niigata, Japan, on Saturday.

That means that Argentina and defending champion France -- the tournament pre-favorites -- are both gone in the first round.

Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa said his side was unlucky.

"I'm very sad and tremendously disappointed. Argentina had bad luck. ... We had 20 opportunities on goal, but the ball didn't go into the net."

The team that waltzed through South American qualifying _ winning 13 of its 18 games to finish 12 points clear of its nearest rival -- failed to play when it counted. It marks the first time in 40 years that Argentina is out in the first round.

Argentina struggled in its opener against Nigeria, but won 1-0 on a goal from aging striker Gabriel Batistuta.

Disaster struck in game two when David Beckham's 44th-minute penalty gave England a 1-0 win. It was sweet revenge for Beckham, who was sent off when Argentina eliminated England in 1998 on penalties.

Needing a win in its final game, Argentina labored to a draw, piling the pressure on the Swedes. Despite having Batistuta and then Hernan Crespo on the field, Argentina rarely looking capable of beating the Scandinavian defense.

Nigeria was the other casualty in the Group of Death -- the first time in three tournaments it has failed to reach round two.

The Africans played good soccer, especially against Sweden in its second game, but were disorganized in defense and wasted too many chances up front.

After Wednesday's game, Nigeria coach Adegboye Onigbinde said he was not dissatisfied with his side's World Cup showing.

"I sincerely believe it was the will of God that we haven't qualified for the second round. ... But that's football. Maybe God wanted us to have some more lessons in football."

Sweden was the surprise of the group. It showed poise to come from behind against England in its opening game to draw 1-1 on Niclas Alexandersson 59th-minute goal.

Against Nigeria, Sweden again staged a comeback -- Henrik Larsson's double strike giving the Scandinavians a 2-1 win after Julius Aghahowa's early goal.

That left them needing just a point against Argentina.

This time it was the Swedes who surrendered the lead, Crespo's late tap-in putting Argentina on terms and giving Lars Lagerback, one of the side's two coaches, an anxious few minutes.

"I can't say those last five minutes were very enjoyable," he admitted. "We were a little lucky today."

No such nerves for a young but disciplined English side, whose first World Cup victory over Argentina since 1966 and the tie with Sweden, meant its point against Nigeria was enough to advance.

After the Nigeria game, fit-again England captain David Beckham was looking ahead with confidence.

"There have been a lot of surprises in this World Cup so far. Two of the biggest threats to any team have gone out, France and Argentina. So it does open it up a lot. And I am sure there will be a few more surprises along the way."