England have taken a significant step towards the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 win over Group D rivals Sweden in Kiev.

The result means that the Swedes have become the second team to exit the tournament following the Republic of Ireland's elimination on Thursday night.

Roy Hodgson's men came close to taking the lead after only six minutes in Kiev when Scott Parker's long-range effort was acrobatically palmed away by Andreas Isaksson.

The Swedes had a similar opportunity minutes later, but Joe Hart easily gathered Sebastian Larsson's stinging drive.

England landed the opening blow on 24 minutes when Andy Carroll powered in an impressive header from Steven Gerrard's whipped cross.

However, Sweden nearly snatched an equaliser soon after as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected shot was saved by Hart.

The Three Lions had a glorious chance to double their lead before the break when Ashley Young found himself through on the angle, but the winger scuffed a disappointing effort wide with Carroll and Danny Welbeck waiting in the middle.

It took Sweden only three minutes into the second half to grab an equaliser as Olof Mellberg bundled the ball past Glen Johnson on the line following Ibrahimovic's free kick.

The Scandinavians soon found themselves in front when Mellberg took advantage of some nonexistent England defending to head home from another free kick on the hour.

With England looking in trouble, Theo Walcott was then brought on for James Milner and the winger had an instant impact as he fired in from the edge of the box after Sweden had failed to properly clear an England corner.

Carroll and Young then both had wayward efforts on goal as Hodgson's side started to take control.

The turnaround was complete with 12 minutes to play as Welbeck got in front of an opposition defender to flick in a delightful finish from Walcott's cross.

Gerrard had a final chance on the counter attack in injury time, but Isaksson made the save.