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.

It was Sweden's third straight win in Group F and the Scandinavians retained first place with nine points.

The defeat was a second straight for Spain, which lost 3-2 to Northern Ireland last month.

Spain had much of the early possession, but 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.

Elmander hit the crossbar with a tremendous right-footed drive in the 30th minute from about the same spot where he scored Sweden's opening goal.

Allback added a second goal late in the second half after a counterattack, only minutes after midfielder Tobias Linderoth saved a header off the goalline.

Allback first eluded Carles Puyol inside the area, then beat Casillas with a left-footed shot.