ENGLAND secured their berth in the second phase of the World Cup in Japan today - and they had to thank Saint Anders Svensson.

The St Mary's midfielder scored the vital goal against Argentina on the hour that dumped one of the pre-tournament favourites out of the competition, and made life a little more comfortable for England in their 0-0 draw with Nigeria in Osaka.

Svensson curled a 27-yard free-kick into the top corner to set up Sweden with a clash against Senegal at the weekend. England will take on Denmark at lunchtime on Saturday.

There was a nervous final few minutes as news came through that Argentina had equalised from the spot.

But England only ever needed a draw to book their place in the last 16.

And the Nigerians proved difficult opposition while England never really raised their game to the heights of Friday's 1-0 victory over Argentina.

There was no place in the England line-up for Saint Wayne Bridge as Sven-Goran Eriksson kept with the team that started the second-half in Friday's 1-0 victory over Argentina.

But Bridge replaced Ashley Cole on the left with six minutes to go to make his second appearance in World Cup action - having come on in Friday's Argentina encounter.

England enjoyed a period of sustained pressure in the closing minutes of the first half with Paul Scholes rattling the upright from 20 yards.

The Manchester United combination of Scholes and Nicky Butt worked well with Butt driving a 20-yard strike just wide of the Nigerian goal.

Emile Heskey made way for Teddy Sheringham midway through the second half before Darius Vassell came on for Michael Owen.