WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Heads-Up Play Lifts Sweden : Group B: A pair of diving headers by Martin Dahlin too much for Russia in a 3-1 decision.

Martin Dahlin put on a heady show Friday night and carried Sweden to the brink of advancing in the World Cup.

Dahlin connected on two diving headers that helped bring his team from behind for a 3-1 victory over Russia, which played a man short for the last 40 minutes. Sweden has four points in Group B with a game left against Brazil, which already has clinched a spot in the second round. Russia is facing almost certain elimination.

It was Sweden’s first World Cup victory in 20 years, since it beat Yugoslavia 2-1 in 1974.

“We played good the whole game and created a lot of chances,” Dahlin said. “We are very satisfied with this game today.”

Dahlin, who scored Sweden’s late tying goal in a 2-2 draw with Cameroon, headed the Swedes in front 2-1 with a low glancing shot in the 60th minute. He powered in another header eight minutes from the end.

Dahlin also received a yellow card in the 58th minute, his second of the tournament. He will be suspended for the game with Brazil.

“It was a 50-50 ball and he was doing the same thing as I am, going for the ball,” Dahlin said. “It doesn’t matter.”

Earlier, Oleg Salenko put the Russians ahead with a penalty kick in the fourth minute and Tomas Brolin tied it on a penalty kick in the 39th.

Salenko’s goal at the Pontiac Silverdome before 71,528 fans gave the Russians an unexpected early boost.

Roger Ljung took down Alexander Borodiuk in the penalty area. French referee Joel Quiniou awarded the penalty, which Salenko stroked almost casually into the net.

The Swedes applied pressure to tie and Dahlin shook the Russian crossbar with a fierce drive.

In the 39th minute, Sergei Gorlukovich was penalized for pulling Dahlin’s shirt as the Swedish striker tried to reach the ball. Brolin drove the ball firmly into the net.

In the 50th minute, the Russians lost Gorlukovich, who was ejected for his second yellow card of the game.

With the one-man advantage, the Swedes created many chances before Dahlin’s first goal. Jonas Thern swung a pass from the left wing and Dahlin dived low to glance the ball into the net.

The third goal was just as impressive, Kennet Andersson racing down the right and sending over a pass that Dahlin headed in with another lunge.