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England will play for a place in the World Cup final after they defeated Sweden 2-0 to book their place in the semi-finals, sealing their best performance at the tournament since 1990 in the process.
Harry Maguire and Dele Alli both found the back of the net to send England to the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where they will take on either Croatia or hosts Russia.
A nervy and rather poor first 20 minutes was soon ended when England made their set-piece superiority count as defender Maguire got onto a Kieran Trippier corner to head home.
The Three Lions held onto the advantage to the break, and midway through the second half England took the aerial route once again to head past Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen to double the lead and settle the nerves.
It was very much what England failed to do against Colombia in building on the strong first half, and as a result England were able to cruise home to victory in Samara – crucially with none of Jordan Henderson, Kyle Walker and Ashley Young picking up bookings to give Gareth Southgate a full squad to pick from for the semi-finals.
Show all 22 1 /22England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Jordan Pickford – 9 out of 10 Save after save after save to keep his goal intact. His first brilliant save kept Berg at bay with a dive to his left, his second came with brilliant reactions to deny Toivonen and his third once again frustrated Berg. Nothing short of brilliant.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Kyle Walker – 7 out of 10 Started strongly and looked to gain confidence, with no mistakes that have blighted his campaign so far.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Harry Maguire – 8 out of 10 Excellent header to open the scoring as he outmuscled the Swedish defence and he was a bright spark at the back for England, with his surging runs from deep replicating that of his colleague Stones.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings John Stones – 7 out of 10 He may have been overshadowed by Maguire but it was still a solid performance from the defender as he marshalled his lesser experienced centre-back-partners.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Kieran Trippier – 8 out of 10 His delivery from corners was so consistent and gave England chances to attack, which Maguire duly took. Has been a revelation in Russia.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Jordan Henderson – 8 out of 10 Started off in a feisty manner as he clashed early with referee Bjorn Kuipers, but his performance started to do the talking with a committed showing. Crucial block after Pickford’s save from Toivonen the undoubted highlight.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Dele Alli – 8 out of 10 Silenced his critics with a second half header to put England two goals clear and effectively into the semi-finals. Linked with England’s attack well as he was given free licence to roam by the Swedes.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Ashley Young – 7 out of 10 Didn’t have a lot to do as he was allowed to focus on getting forwards against the poor Swedish attack. Important touch to take the ball away from John Guidetti late on.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Jesse Lingard – 7 out of 10 Lovely floated ball into Alli teed up the second goal on a plate, and he continues to jusify his place in the England squad.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Raheem Sterling – 7 out of 10 Made run after run after run in the first half, only for his final touch to let him down as he twice sprung the offside trap. One should have resulted in a goal, but it was a solid showing if not with the finishing touch.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Harry Kane – 6 out of 10 Slightly off colour, which given his performances in Russia so far can be forgiven. Had an early sighter that just ran past the far post, but couldn’t react quick enough when the ball fell to his feet in close-range.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Robin Olsen – 5 out of 10 His commitment to trying to save Maguire’s header can easily be questioned as he gave up on it before the ball had even crossed the line.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Emil Frafth – 4 out of 10 Gave away possession far too cheaply early on and England were able to target him with Sterling, Young and Lingard teaming up on the replacement, with Mikael Lustig absent.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Victor Lindelof – 5 out of 10 Came off second best up against Maguire at set-pieces and he did not look the imposing and controlling centre-back that he needed to be.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Andreas Granqvist – 7 out of 10 Sweden’s standout player as he gave it his all in a captain’s performance at the back, only for his teammates around him to wilt.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Ludwig Augustinsson – 6 out of 10 Didn’t close down Trippier quick enough that allowed the right-wing-back to deliber plenty of ball into the area for England to attack.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Viktor Claesson – 6 out of 10 Grew into the game in the second half as he tried to free Berg and Toivonen, but was near-enough absent in the first half.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Sebastian Larsson – 5 out of 10 Disappointing performance as he was overran in the midfield. Had a late chance to make an impression when Sweden were awarded a free-kick, but allowed Forsberg to claim it instead who wasted the chance.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Albin Ekdal – 6 out of 10 Had a sighter from distance that never threatened Pickford’s goal, but offered little else going forward.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Emil Forsberg – 5 out of 10 Given what he is capable of, this was a disappointing performance from the wideman as the game largely passed him by.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Marcus Berg – 6 out of 10 Should have scored twice but met his match in Pickford. His first chance saw him go for placement, only for Pickford to get a hand to it, and his second was more power only for the ‘keeper to palm it over the bar.
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England vs Sweden World Cup player ratings Ola Toivonen – 5 out of 10 His goalscoring struggles continue and when a glorious chance arose to end his drought, he fluffed his lines not once but twice as first Pickford and then Henderson blocked his efforts. By the time he went for a third, you felt he’d never score no matter how long this game lasted.
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So how did the players perform? Click on the gallery above to find out.
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