STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -Strikers Johan Elmander and Marcus Allback scored, and goalkeeper Rami Shaaban made several key saves to lead Sweden past Spain 2-0 in a European Championship qualifier on Saturday.
The defeat was a second straight for Spain, which lost 3-2 to Northern Ireland last month, and forced Spain manager Luis Aragones to dismiss questions about whether he would resign.
"It's complicated and difficult but I have been in football a long time and lived through difficult moments," Aragones said. "But it depends on the Spanish federation."
Aragones said he thought his team played better than Sweden, but allowed the Swedes to counterattack.
"We had more ball possession, we had more opportunities and we lost the match," he said.
It was Sweden's third straight win in Group F and the Scandinavians retained first place with nine points.
"We made a collective effort that was nearly flawless," Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said. "Our defense was close to perfect.
Lagerback said he was surprised that Spain was able to dominate posession.
"They didn't create very many scoring chances," Lagerback said. "Ball possession doesn't give any points."
Despite Spain's early possession, Sweden took the lead on its first offensive move before 33,056 fans at sold-out Rasunda Stadium.
With two Spanish defenders just behind him, Elmander fired a low shot from a tough angle inside the box, the ball dipping just under goalkeeper Iker Casillas' left arm.
Anders Svensson, a two-time World Cup veteran who surprisingly started in midfield instead of Lyon's Kim Kallstrom, set up the goal with a perfect pass to the right.
It was Elmander's eighth goal in 24 games for Sweden and one of his most important. He scored one goal as a substitute in World Cup qualifying.
