The 2-1 defeat to Denmark four days earlier meant Sweden couldn't afford a repeat of their goalless draw away in Serbia in early March. Tony Gustavsson largely kept faith with the XI that started against the Danes, recalled Hanna Lundqvist and Matilda Vinberg.
But the first half was another frustrating one for the home side, who had over 80% possession but had as many shots on goal - three - as their visitors, though that did not tell the full story.
All three of the Swedes' efforts on target came courtesy of Filippa Angeldahl, who began testing Milica Kostic in the first minute, but when the goalkeeper didn't come to Serbia's rescue, the woodwork did, as Angeldahl and Stina Blackstenius were both denied by the frame of the goal.
At the break, news filtered through that Denmark had been held to a goalless draw by Italy, meaning a win would take Sweden back to within a point of the group leaders.
Whether or not that news galvanised the side is hard to know, but the fact of the matter is the only goal of the game arrived within five minutes of the restart.
Vinberg threaded a neat ball through the heart of the Serbian defence to Blackstenius, and the Arsenal striker took one touch to set herself before coolly rolling the ball beyond Kostic and into the bottom corner.
It was no less than Sweden deserved for their domination, as Blackstenius hit the woodwork again just after the hour mark, but with an effort from Vinberg the only other shot on target in the second half for either side, there will be concern that Blagult didn't do enough with the ball against weaker opposition.
Another positive for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd came on with 28 minutes to play as she continues her return from injury, but the main thing is it's job done for Sweden, who move on to seven points from four matches with the 1-0 victory.
Their Group A1 campaign concludes in June, with what look to be must-win matches away against Denmark and at home to Italy, if they are to take the automatic qualification spot. Otherwise, they must deal with the playoffs to reach Brazil.