Argentina was one of the favorites heading into the 2002 FIFA World Cup but Sweden’s Ander’s Svensson ended those dreams on this day in soccer history with his curling free kick in Sweden’s 1-1 draw over the South American nation.

Get in the Gear of the Sweden national soccer team.  The World Soccer Shop has a great selection of official Sweden soccer jerseys.

Argentina controlled large portions of the match but Sweden took advantage of a 59th minute free kick to change the outlook of the match.  Svensson was fouled by Matias Almeyda and stepped up to take the free kick from 30+ yards out and curled it over the wall and past goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero who only could manage to get a finger on the ball.



Hernan Crespo leveled the match in the 88th minute but with England drawing against Nigeria in the other Group F match, Argentina were packing their bags.

Soccer Birthdays

1945 – Pat Jennings, Northern Irish footballer
1976 – Thomas Sørensen, Danish footballer
1983 – Christine Sinclair, Canadian soccer player
1992 – Philippe Coutinho, Brazilian footballer

Soccer Deaths

2008 – Derek Tapscott, Welsh footballer (b. 1932)

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