Soccer-Denmark beat Sweden 1-0 to move clear in Group One

STOCKHOLM, June 6 (Reuters) - Denmark beat struggling rivals Sweden 1-0 with a first-half goal from Thomas Kahlenberg to move three points clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group One on Saturday.

Kahlenberg took advantage of a mistake from Sweden defender Mikael Nilsson midway through the first half to fire the ball past goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

The win put the Danes on 16 points from six matches, three ahead of Hungary in second place.

Things are looking less promising for the Swedes, who missed a penalty in the Denmark game and are down in fourth place with six points from five matches.

The group winners qualify for the finals directly while the best eight runners-up from the nine groups go through to a play-off.

Sweden were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute but failed to capitalise as Kim Kallstrom's weak effort was easily saved by Thomas Sorensen easily saved.

After taking the lead, the Danes should have made it 2-0 in the 30th minute when Dennis Rommedahl missed an open goal from less than a metre out.

(Writing by Oliver Grassman; Editing by Ken Ferris/Kevin Fylan. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)