Peter Thompson was wide with a late header

The winning goal came after 33 minutes when a Mathias Svensson header came off the bar, hit keeper Alan Mannus on the shoulder and found the back of the net.

The Swedes had a number of other chances but the visitors held firm.

For Linfield, Noel Bailie went close with a header, Mark Dickson had a shot saved and Peter Thompson headed wide.

Interview: David Jeffrey

In the early stages of the game, Anders Svensson had a shot blocked, Fredrik Bjork fired over and Fredrik Berglund lobbed over the bar.

Striker Berglund also shot wide of the post when he should have done better, before Svensson netted what turned out to be the winning goal.

Daniel Mobaeck shot over and after the break, James Keene had an effort saved by Mannus.

Bailie almost equalised with a downward header from Damien Curran's corner and Mannus then produced a fine save to deny Martin Andersson.

Johan Wiland made a superb one-handed save from Dickson's goalbound shot and, at the other end, Mobaeck's attempt came off the post.

In a rousing finale, Thompson headed just wide and Daniel Alexandersson hit the woodwork.

Elfsborg : Wiland, Karlsson, Andersson, Anders Svensson (avdic 61), Mathias Svensson (Keene 49), Holmen, Mobaeck, Bjorck, Augustsson, Ishizaki, Berglund (Alexandersson 84).

Linfield: Mannus, Douglas (Mouncey 75), Gault, Curran (Ferguson 77), Bailie, Lindsay, McAreavey,, Dickson, O'Kane, Thompson, Mulgrew (Stewart 65)

Referee: Felix Brych, Germany.