Postgame England -- Sweden wrapup

We'll compare the leads of coverage of England-Sweden.

ESPN:

David Beckham got England's World Cup campaign off to a winning start by setting up the early goal that clinched an unconvincing 1-0 Group B victory against Paraguay in Frankfurt.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's men then struggled to create clear opportunities -- and also took off striker Michael Owen early in the second half -- but held on to claim three points with the win.

Washington Post:

The arrival of English fans on foreign soil to support their national soccer team often overshadows the presence of the international superstars themselves. For all of the posh panache of matinee-idol midfielder David Beckham, for instance, the regular blokes traveling to Germany for a World Cup holiday command the most significant local attention, given the English history of hooliganism and outlandish behavior while abroad.

An estimated 40,000 English fans filled the streets of Frankfurt on Saturday, with roughly a quarter of them among the 48,000 who saw England defeat Paraguay 1-0 at Commerzbank Arena in the opening match of the World Cup's Group B. Early Saturday morning they descended near the main train station, draped in flags with faces painted, but at match time there had only been a few minor incidents requiring police response.

Houston Chronicle:

Today’s showdown between Argentina and the Ivory Coast is not unlike the World Cup opener between Germany and Costa Rica. Perennial powerhouse (Argentina) takes on the minnow (Ivory Coast).

Elsewhere, England defeated Paraguay, 1-0, in Frankfurt. Sweden plays Trinidad & Tobago in Dortmund.

In today's early game England went ahead for good in the fourth minute against Paraguay on an own goal by captain Carlos Gamarra. England captain David Beckham's in-swinging free kick glanced off Gamarra's head and eluded goalie Justo Villar for the own goal.

England played today without star striker Wayne Rooney who is still trying to make it back in the lineup at some stage during the World Cup. Michael Owen, recently returned from injury, was in England's starting 11.

AP:

England won - and didn't even score a goal.

Unable to find the net on its own, England used an own-goal for an early lead and held on to beat Paraguay 1-0 Saturday in the World Cup.

It was not pretty, and the English were helped by Paraguay's reluctance to attack. Still, it was a victory that will have England's boisterous fans celebrating - at least until its next match.