Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - With playmaker Hanna Ljungberg bothered by injury, Victoria Svensson picked up the slack for Sweden in their 1-0 win over North Korea in a Group A first-round match at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday.

Svensson netted the only goal for Sweden in just the seventh minute. The striker one-timed a perfect volley from Malin Andersson into the net. North Korea goalkeeper Ri Jong Hui had no chance as Svensson beat her defender and took the shot from inside the area.

Ljungberg suffered a leg injury in Sweden's loss to the U.S. over the weekend, but was still her menacing self, despite not scoring a goal.

Svensson, second to Ljungberg for the team lead in international goals with 33, ran rampant on the North Koreans. She led the team with seven shots and played stellar defense as well.

North Korea, after a 3-0 win over Nigeria in their World Cup opener, looked out of sync throughout the entire match. They had plenty of chances to equalize, but could not finish.

Ri Kum Suk had a great look for North Korea in the 58th minute from just outside the area, but her shot smashed right off the crossbar. It was the Asians best chance in the game and the usually sure-handed Suk was off the mark.

Shortly after Suk's miss, North Korea coach Ri Song Gun used his final substitution in an attempt to slow down Sweden's pressure. It proved to be an unsuccessful formula.

In the 65th minute Sweden continued to apply the pressure. Svensson refused to slow down and fired consecutive shots to no avail in the 71st minute.

In the 76th minute, Ljungberg had another attempt to virtually put the game away, but her shot hit the near post.

North Korea continued their finishing woes in the 82nd minute even as Sweden goalkeeper Caroline Joensson struggled to squelch a goal box scramble. The melee ended with Jin Pyol Hui missing a wide open net. Her shot was deflected by a Swedish defender with Joensson near the front of the area shaken up after a violent collision.

Possession swung back to North Korea late, but the Asian champions could not convert any of the opportunities.

In the first half, Ljungberg put a left-footed strike on goal in the 15th minute, but Ri Jong was there for the diving save.

Svensson nearly doubled the lead 15 minutes in, but mis-hit a well-played corner and the ball dribbled harmlessly wide.

Yun Yong Hui had a chance to even the match in the 19th minute, but was taken down in the box, resulting in a sure penalty kick. However, Hui was called off-sides and the opportunity was negated.

North Korea struggled to get into an offensive flow until late in the first half. Suk took the team's first shot in the 37th minute, but it was a misplayed header that went wide.

Suk's missed shot started North Korea's best offensive outburst of the first half. The Asians spent the last 10 minutes of the half in the area and eventually took hold of possession 54-46. However, the Swedes defense tightened and denied the Asians a finish.

Linda Fagerstroem had a chance for Sweden in the 35th minute, but her shot from the far-side of the box was a touch weak and was saved easily by Ri Jong.

Just before halftime Svensson almost struck again, but her blast on net was knocked away by Ri Jung. Malin Mostroem was there for the rebound, but her attem sailed high.

Sweden could move on to the quarterfinals with a win over Nigeria in Columbus on Sunday. North Korea will lick their wounds and look for a win in their final first round match against the U.S. -- also on Sunday.

MATCH NOTES: It's the second meeting between the teams. Sweden won the first match, 1-0.