Sweden 4 - 0 Malta

Hosts' hopes still alive

Updated: June 10, 2009, 8:00 AM UK

Sweden gave their World Cup qualifying hopes a lift with a comfortable victory over Malta in Group One.

Kim Kallstrom opened the scoring in the first half before a six-minute spell after the interval produced goals for Daniel Majstorovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Berg.

The win moves Sweden level on points with Portugal, although the pair are seven points behind group leaders Denmark.

Malta came into the match without a win or a goal in their qualifying campaign, but should have gone ahead after 12 minutes in Gothenburg.

Daniel Bogdanovic had two efforts superbly saved by Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson before Roderick Briffa blazed another rebound over the bar from close range.

That was as good as it got for the visitors and they found themselves trailing after 22 minutes.

Behrang Safari began the move with a cross to Rasmus Elm, and although his shot hit the crossbar, Kallstrom was in the right place to head home the rebound.

Aside from the goal though, it was a largely uninspiring performance from the home side and the crowd made their displeasure known at half-time with pockets of jeers.

It was a different Sweden which appeared after the interval and a devastating six-minute spell ended any hopes Malta had of a comeback.

Majstorovic got the crowd back on side after 52 minutes, heading home a Kallstrom corner.

Ibrahimovic made it 3-0 four minutes later, picking up a pass from Rasmus Elm in the area and chipping the ball over the outstretched arms of Andrew Hogg in the visiting goal.

Marcus Berg then added another after 58 minutes as Ibrahimovic turned provider for his strike partner, who slotted beyond Hogg.

Viktor Elm could have grabbed a fifth after 69 minutes but Hogg made a stunning save, although the damage had already been done.