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As it happenedended

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

Michael Jones
Saturday 07 July 2018 17:56 BST
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BoxPark Croydon celebrates Dele Alli's goal

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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.

England fans singing 'Its Coming Home'

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.

England survived a scare to reach this far
England survived a scare to reach this far (FIFA via Getty Images)

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.

2 mins: England, as is their way in this tournament, are happy to build from the back but Sweden put them under pressure and Pickford gets his first goal kick

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:02

4 mins: Sterling comes deep to receive the ball and try to force the team forward, it goes out to the right but Lingard halts his run realising he was offside 

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:05

6 mins: England won a free kick, played it quickly but a poor cross field pass from Kyle Walker sends the ball out of play, Krafth gets the ball but is dispossessed by Dele Alli, who tries to feed Kane into the box but Olsen comes forward and claims the ball

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:07

8 mins: Long throw from Sweden into England's area but England win a free kick for a Granqvist handball, it's booted long and a scramble in mid-field leads to a Sweden throw in

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:09

10 mins: A little sloppy from England, they've been guilty of a few miss-timed passes but Sterling bombs forward and wins a throw in

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:10

10 mins: Walker and Trippier combine on the right wing to slowly bring out the Swedish defenders, Walker whips the ball into the box but Olsen catches it with no trouble

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:11

12 mins: CHANCE! Claesson gets the ball in space outside of England's box, he fires a long ranged effort but it sails over the bar, Pickford is yelling at his defenders to do better next time  

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:13

16 mins: Sweden looking a touch more confident in mid-field but England have been defending well so far, Sweden win a throw but Maguire clears it again

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:17

17 mins: Great stuff from John Stones, the ball comes flying down the right over Maguire's head and Stones comes across to cover allowing the ball to go out for a goalkick

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:18

18 mins: CHANCE! Sterling with a fantastic run at the Swedish defence, he zips into the gap left by Augustinsson and cuts back inside before giving a short pass to Harry Kane who hits it with his right foot just past the post

Michael Jones7 July 2018 15:20

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