Stunning header
It was a fairytale return to competitive international action for Larsson as he scored two goals in two minutes shortly before the hour to end the game as a contest in which Bulgaria battled bravely but in vain. Already ahead through Ljungberg's first-half opener, Larsson's spectacular diving header from Erik Edman's pinpoint left-wing cross doubled their lead after 57 minutes.

Fine finish
Seconds later, the Swedes ended the game as a contest when Anders Svensson's low cross from the right was missed by the diving Zlatko Zdravkov and Larsson knocked the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Ibrahimovic scored a fourth from the penalty spot 12 minutes from time after Ljungberg had been brought down, and substitute Allbäck raced on to Larsson's chip to add a fifth in added time.

Swedish surge
Two-well drilled teams initially offered one another few clear scoring chances despite a bright start to the game. Ivailo Petkov had to be alert to the threat posed by Ibrahimovic as early as the second minute when the AFC Ajax striker was first to Andreas Isaksson's long clearance, but the Bulgarian defender managed to block his shot. Moments later Mikael Nilsson's low left-wing cross flashed across the face of goal but failed to reach either Ibrahimovic or Larsson.

Bulgaria strike back
The Bulgarians also provided some attacking verve, but Georgi Peev should have forced Isaksson into action in the 12th minute after spinning on the edge of the box only to shoot tamely. Then Zoran Jankovic volleyed narrowly wide of Isaksson's right-hand post after connecting with Martin Petrov's outswinging cross from the left.

End-to-end game
Then shortly after the quarter-hour, Edman's shot from a close-range indirect free-kick was charged down by Stilian Petrov after Ivailo Petkov had been penalised for a high challenge on Ibrahimovic. Sweden then slowly began to dominate as Nilsson crossed from the right, but Larsson's lunging half-volley from eight metres angled narrowly over.

Bulgaria buoyant
But Bulgaria, inspired by Stilian Petrov's work-rate, nearly broke the deadlock after 24 minutes when Martin Petrov flashed a low shot from the left edge of the area wide of Isaksson's left-hand post. Then Dimitar Berbatov's header forced the Sweden goalkeeper to backpedal and tip over the bar as Plamen Markov's side attempted to match their opponents.

Unselfish Ibrahimovic
The opening goal, however, came at the other end in the 32nd minute and was initiated by the impressive Nilsson, Sweden's only first-choice outfield player to ply his trade in the Allsvenskan. His pass along the right flank allowed Ibrahimovic to beat Bulgaria's offside trap and draw goalkeeper Zdravkov before rolling the ball between the goalline and the penalty spot for Ljungberg to score.

Second-half fightback
Shortly after the restart, Jankovic should have scored from Martin Petrov's cross from the left, but his header went agonisingly wide of Isaksson's right-hand post with the goalkeeper beaten. Sweden responded immediately when an amazing flick by Ibrahimovic left Ljungberg with a free shot on goal, but Zdravkov was quickly down to parry the ball to safety with his knees.

Bulgaria on top
Martin Petrov's excellent service into the penalty area was almost rewarded with a goal as his cross-cum-shot was narrowly missed by Berbatov only seconds before two moments of magic from Larsson turned the match inexorably in Sweden's favour.