England vs Sweden LIVE World Cup 2018: England into semi-finals - final score, latest reaction and highlights
Follow the latest from the World Cup quarter-final in Samara
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Your support makes all the difference.England will play for a place in the World Cup final after beating Sweden 2-0, matching their second-best ever performance at the tournament and putting them on the verge of history.
Harry Maguire and Dele Alli found the back of the net either side of half-time as England cruised to a deserved victory in Samara, setting them up with a potential semi-final against hosts Russia if they can negotiate Croatia in the final quarter-final.
It means that England have reached the last four for the first time since Italia '90, and ensures that hey will play two more games in Russia - either the third-place play-off or in the World Cup final.
Here's how the action unfolded...
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When is it?
England vs Sweden is on Saturday 7 July and kicks off at 15:00 at the Samara Arena.
Where can I watch it?
BBC will be showing live coverage on BBC One and online on the BBC Sport website.
How did they get here?
Sweden surprisingly topped their group ahead of Mexico and Germany after it looked like Toni Kroos’ late winning goal in their 2-1 defeat against the Germans would spell their exit. Their round of 16 tie against Switzerland was typical of their tournament to date, they defended well as a team, grabbed their goal and defended some more.
Southgate rested eight players against Belgium as England finished second in Group G which granted them an arguably easier path through the knockout rounds. The dramatic win against Colombia picks up the momentum that was created by wins Tunisia and Panama in the group stage.
What is their World Cup history?
While never winning it, Sweden have historically done well at World Cups, and the closest they came to glory was in 1958 when they lost to Pele’s Brazil in the final. Recent history has not been too kind to Sweden who had not qualified for a World Cup since 2006.
Winners in 1966, it’s been over 60 years of hurt for the Three Lions who may have their best chance to win a World Cup since Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the final against Germany. England’s dramatic win against Colombia was the first time they have won a knockout match since beating Ecuador in 2006. Victory against Sweden will put England into the last four for the first time since 1990 and will the only the third time they have advanced to the semi-final.
Odds
England: 10/11
Sweden: 7/2
Draw (90 minutes): 9/4
Head-to-head
England have faced Sweden 25 times down the years only coming out on the winning side on eight occasions. The last time they squared off was back in 2012 when a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved the hero for the hosts in Stockholm.
Prediction
England 2-1 Sweden: The Three Lions have shown admirable grit to make it this far and they'll need it again against a nuggety and stubborn Swedish side. They should have enough quality however, with that man Harry Kane the difference again.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's World Cup quarter-final between England and Sweden, brought to you from the Samara Arena in Russia where the Three LIons look to reach the last four for the first time since 1990.
Let's start with England's main man, shall we?
Harry Kane has hailed the England squad as his “brothers” ahead of today's World Cup quarter-final with Sweden.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Samara, England captain Kane spoke in glowing terms about the unity within the camp, and how important it has been in getting the team this far.
Fabian Delph used the word “brothers” when talking about his return to the England camp from the birth of his daughter in the UK earlier this week.
And Kane spoke in similar terms about his “family” in the England camp.
Could Gareth Southgate opt to change a winning formula this afternoon?
He appeared to hint yesterday at a change of shape in midfield with Dele Alli the most at risk.
Could Eric Dier start?
“We had good controlled possession, but we do want to create more clear chances and I think we can create more clear-cut chances," Southgate said.
“That will be tough against Sweden. I think we’ll have more possession, but Sweden have proved they’ve got results with 30% possession. Possession doesn’t mean you win games.
“In terms of Dele, I thought his performance against Tunisia was as good as he’s had since I’ve been England manager.
"He’s at his best making those forward runs and really threatening the opponents with those forward runs from midfield.
“Maybe we need to encourage him a little bit more to get into those areas where I think his strengths lie and where he can have the biggest impact on the game. That’s something we’ve got to think about tactically.
“He did a fantastic job for the team. Sometimes in those matches when you play against top opposition, it’s about a balance of doing both.”
Let's talk about our Gareth.
Southgate has enjoyed an incredible rise over the last three weeks and has achieved a national popularity no England manager has reached in a generation.
Except the man at the centre of the storm does not see it quite like that. Of course Southgate knows about the mood at home, and his unlikely new role as a unifying national figure in a divided country.
But when asked in Repino on Thursday afternoon, he did everything he could to deflect, to wriggle free from that elevated status.
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown, even after masterminding a penalty shoot-out win.
Former England captain Steven Gerrard has urged them to seize the moment today.
"I am excited and confident they can go and deliver again," the new Rangers boss said. "I thought the mentality and the spirit they showed in the last game (against Colombia) was fantastic.
"They have got the country absolutely buzzing and now the pressure is starting to snowball.
"Now they have to stay calm and keep doing exactly what they've been doing because they look exciting and the dark horses in the competition.
"They have got a hell of a chance and I don't think us as a nation will get a better chance of going all the way to the final, so I hope they grasp it.
"I wish them every bit of luck."
Remember that game in 2002?
These two do.
Here's an exclusive interview with both Lars Lagerback and Niklas Alexandersson on why Sweden will relish the underdog tag against one of their favourite opponents.
Sweden had a surprise early-morning wake-up call when a fire alarm forced them to evacuate their luxury hotel.
One England fan, who is staying at the hotel and asked not to be named, says he saw the team standing outside the five-star Lotte Hotel in central Samara at around 8am along with football fans in the city for Saturday's quarter-final.
The Sweden players were said to be looking tired in the lobby after the false alarm.
It's been a long journey back for Gareth Southgate.
Here's an exclusive with Darren Anderton who was alongside him on that fateful night at Wembley 22 years ago.
There's a lot at stake today for both England and Sweden, a win will see them through to the semi-finals of the World Cup but could there be more at stake for England's official beer sponsor!
Carlsberg posted on twitter yesterday poking fun at the Swedes and IKEA fired back with a few quips about their ‘solid flat pack four’ which resulted in a bet…..
If England win, IKEA build Carlsberg a trophy cabinet made from their finest #GarethSouthgateWood
If Sweden win, Carlsberg deliver beers to IKEA HQ
Well it's not quite a semi-final place on the line but it's fun nonetheless
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