HENRIK LARSSON injected further life into the race to capture his signature with a superb double to send Bulgaria spinning to defeat.

The 32-year-old Swede, whose decision to quit Celtic and head for sunnier climes has attracted the interest of 30 suitors in recent weeks, illustrated exactly why they are on his trail with a brilliant double against Bulgaria last night.

He struck twice inside two minutes - the first a stunning diving header and the second via a cross from Saints midfielder Anders Svensson - to help Sweden to a 5-0 romp.

Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov knew all about Larsson before the game and admitted that, had he decided to stay in international retirement, the result might have been different.

"I've said many times that Larsson is a very big player," he said. "Not only Sweden but football as a whole will welcome his coming back.

"I can say that, if he didn't play tonight, probably the match would have been different."

Bulgaria had actually enjoyed more than their fair share of the game before the break and were slightly unfortunate to be trailing as they walked off at half-time.

But Larsson's quick-fire double ended their hopes of a fightback and, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it 4-0 from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining, a boxing referee would have put them out of their misery.

Instead, substitute Marcus Allback added a fifth at the death to sent his side into Friday night's clash with Italy in Porto brimming with confidence.

Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg had opened the scoring after Svensson set Ibrahimovic through on the right.

ANDERS SVENSSON WATCH: The Saints' star's game

3: Gets his first touch - a deep corner which Bulgaria head clear.

8: Excitement builds as Svensson lines up a free kick in a similar position to his strike against the Argentinians in the last World Cup. However, he doesn't take it in the end!

17: Svensson throws himself into two crunching tackles which he wins convincingly.

32: Great moment as Svensson plays a big part in the first of Sweden's five goals. A superb ball down the right channel allows Zlatan Ibrahimovic to square for Freddie Ljungberg to turn home.

33: Svensson is again quick to recognise his defensive duties and tracks back down the left to block a dangerous-looking cross.

57: Svensson looks on as Henrik Larsson's superb diving header gives Sweden a 2-0 lead.

58: Just seconds later Svensson turns provider again when he charges into the box on the right and slides the ball across to the far post when Larsson throws out his left boot and turns the ball home from a tricky angle.

60: Sweden look likely to get more goals and Svensson lays on another great chance. This time it's a chipped free kick from the right which picks out Ibrahimovic, but the Ajax striker heads over from close range.

77: Svensson comes off to be replaced by Rennes midfielder Kim Kallstrom - allegedly a Saints target last summer.

Svensson finishes the match with a pass completion rate of 12 out of 15 attempted while also having committed two fouls.