In Salzburg, the Spaniards finished the group stage with three wins from three matches with a late goal giving them a 2-1 victory over defending champions Greece, who were already out of contention.
In Innsbruck, Russia, who had never beaten Sweden in their five previous meetings spanning 95 years, had to win to progress while a draw would have been enough for the Scandinavians to advance.
" ...when we got the second goal I thought we could have gone on to get more."
Andrei Arshavin |
However Guus Hiddink's team played their best match of the tournament by far, with the 2-0 scoreline flattering the Swedes.
Brilliantly-worked goals by Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin sent the Russians into the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time since, as the USSR, they lost to Netherlands in the final of Euro 1988.
"We played very well, we attacked very well," said Arshavin.
"At 1-0 I thought we sat back a bit, which I didn't like, but when we got the second goal I thought we could have gone on to get more.
"I hope we can do the same again against Holland but they are the strongest team in the tournament."
Russian revolution
Arshavin, who was suspended for the first two group games, gave Russia the attacking spark they needed, with his direct running and some slick passing causing Sweden all sorts of problems.
Yuri Zhirkov drove a volley wide after 21 minutes, but three minutes later Russia were ahead when a clever pass enabled Konstantin Zyryanov to escape down the right before he played the ball inside to Alexander Anyukov.
The dangerous midfielder then rolled it into the path of Pavlyuchenko who slid home a first-time shot from inside the box.
The Swedes had two good chances before the break when Henrik Larsson looped a header against the bar and Mikael Nilsson forced a sharp smothering save out of Igor Akinfeyev.
Five minutes after the break Arshavin doubled the lead with another superb team goal.
An attack that began deep in Russia's own half ended with Zhirkov setting up the playmaker to score with his outstretched right boot.
Greek tragedy
In Salzburg, outgoing champions Greece lost their third game out of three when they were beaten 2-1 by Spain after leading 1-0.
Striker Angelos Haristeas opened the scoring for Greece with a header in the 42nd minute, his team's first goal of the tournament, but Spain equalised in the 61st through Ruben de la Red and took victory with a Daniel Guiza goal two minutes from time.
"It was a tricky first half but we managed to battle through and win the game," said Xabi Alonso, Spain midfielder, who was named player of the match.
"Now is the time to start thinking about Italy which is going to be the hour of truth."
Greece, surprise winners of Euro 2004 in Portugal, had lost their first two group games without scoring.
Spain, who were already assured of their quarter-final place, fielded a team mostly made up of reserve players ahead of their last eight clash with Italy Vienna on Sunday.