Austria have scored a vital victory over Group C rivals Sweden thanks to goals from David Alaba and Marc Janko.

Johan Elmander notched the visitors' only goal as they see Marcel Koller's men pull level on points in the race to finish second behind leaders Germany.

© AP Photos

The hosts were given the chance to break the deadlock in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson brought down Martin Harnik. Alaba stepped up to dispatch the kick into the bottom-left corner.

Harnik was the provider once more for Austria's second, crossing in for Janko to bury a header in the 31st minute.

Elmander restored hope of a comeback for Sweden when Zlatan Ibrahimovic set him up to fire him from inside the box with eight minutes remaining, but Erik Hamren's men were unable to find an equaliser.

Written by
Michael Penkman