Solberg had never won in Sweden

The Norwegian began the day with a lead of 12.6 seconds over Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm and was helped when his Finnish rival crashed out on stage 16.

There was a further boost for Solberg when engine trouble denied world champion Sebastien Loeb second place.

Peugeot's Markko Martin took second and Ford's Toni Gardemeister was third for his second podium finish in a row.

Harri Rovanpera came in fourth for Mitsubishi and Solberg's brother Henning was fifth in his Ford.

Day two report Day one report

Daniel Carlsson won two stages on his way to sixth in his Peugeot and the other Mitsubishi of Gianluigi Galli was seventh after slipping out of contention for a podium place.

Ford's Roman Kresta took the final world championship point in eighth.

Solberg, who had never won in Sweden before, finished more than two minutes ahead of Martin.

The victory leaves him level on 10 points with Citroen's Loeb, who won the first event of the season in Monte Carlo.

Gardemeister is the early pacesetter in the title race with 14 points from two rallies, with Martin one point behind.

The third rally of the season in Mexico will begin on 11 March.