Kyle Lafferty kept alive Northern Ireland's slim hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 with a goal of the highest quality.
The Burnley striker, 20, spoiled Sweden's hopes of securing a place in the finals in front of their own fans by grabbing a superb equaliser in Stockholm.
He took advantage when Petter Hansson slipped in the 72nd minute and got away from Olof Mellberg, before whipping a shot into the corner of the net.
It was little wonder Lafferty wheeled away in delight after his third international.
However, he is ruled out of his country's next match against Denmark, after picking up two yellow cards.
Northern Ireland need to beat the Danes next month and their final qualifier against Spain to have any chance of completing a remarkable fairytale.
It would be foolish to bet against them, though, after a spirited display following back-to-back defeats by Latvia and Iceland.
The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when Mellberg opened the scoring with a volley after a flick-on from Kim Kallstrom.
It came after Lafferty was punished for a challenge on Erik Hedman, and Tobias Linderoth swung in the free-kick.
Northern Ireland almost equalised two minutes later when David Healy rattled in a free-kick only for Andreas Isaksson to prevent him scoring his 13th goal of the campaign.
Northern Ireland were grateful to goalkeeper Maik Taylor for preventing a second goal in the 28th minute.
He made a superb block as Zlatan Ibrahimovic rattled in a shot from close range following a clever through ball from Kallstrom.
Northern Ireland were refusing to lie down, and Healy's overhead kick in the 31st minute narrowly cleared the bar after he had been set up by Lafferty.
However, a mistake by Gareth McAuley in the 36th minute almost proved costly.
The Leicester captain misdirected a pass to Ibrahimovic, and the striker wasted no time in setting up Johan Elmander - who seemed surprised at finding an opening and clipped his effort wide of the post.
The last thing Northern Ireland needed was to be handing gifts to the home side, who have become notoriously difficult opponents over the years.
Healy was putting in a hard shift - but after scoring twice against the hosts earlier in the campaign, the Fulham striker was closely marked.
Northern Ireland almost drew level in the 60th minute when Chris Brunt's 25-yard effort went narrowly over the top, following a short free kick from Sammy Clingan.
Given they were behind and heading for a third straight defeat, Northern Ireland were still playing with confidence.
Healy tested Isaksson in the 63rd minute, the Manchester City goalkeeper getting down quickly to smother his effort in a front of a crowd of 33,112.
Northern Ireland were being backed by about 2,000 fans - getting right behind their side.
Sweden were playing possession football, and that did not suit their supporters who wanted a second goal.
Instead, it was Northern Ireland who equalised through Lafferty.
Sweden almost regained the lead in the 84th minute, Kallstrom's sweetly struck free-kick hitting the outside of the post - and Ibrahimovic should have scored the winner on the stroke of full-time but sent a free header wide of the post.
