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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.

What a save!

Jordan Pickford kept Sweden at bay with a flying save from a Marcus Berg header

Jack de Menezes7 July 2018 16:06

49 mins: A shaky start to the second half for England, but they are seeing more of the ball now, it's out wide with Young, the ball comes into the box from Henderson and Trippier wins the header but can't direct it at Sterling

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:06

50 mins: Now Trippier tracks back and makes the tackle in a dangerous area, good stuff from the England man

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:07

54 mins: Kane wins a free kick about 30 yards out, England try to take it quickly but the referee calls them back, Young whips it into the box and Maguire heads it back across goal, Sterling is there for an overhead kick but it's cleared.

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:11

57 mins: England putting lots of pressure on Sweden's defence now, Jesse Lingard fires off a shot and it's deflected by Krafth for a corner, Trippier delivers but Lindelof gets his head on the ball first

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:14

58 mins: SWEDEN 0 - 2 ENGLAND - Dele Alli

Lingard's shot is deflected over to Trippier on the right hand side of the box, he brings it back inside and passes it back to Lingard. Lingard crosses and Alli meets it at the far post with a header to double England's lead

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:15

61 mins: SAVE! Pickford to the rescue again, the ball falls to Berg in the middle of England's box and Pickford dives to his right this time to save the shot, Henderson follows it up with a great block off Claesson

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:19

Great scenes in John Lewis as shoppers stop their browsing to watch England vs Sweden... and rightly so, England are playing very well

Shoppers have stopped to watch England in John Lewis 

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:21

65 mins: Harry Maguire almost had a second, the ball comes into the box, and it falls at the feet of the centre back, who boots it into way over the bar.

Forsberg and Toivonens are off for Sweden, Guidetti and Olsson both come on

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:23

68 mins: England have their tails up here, they're coming forward with pace and purpose, Alli has a shot but Granqvist blocks it. Another corner comes in from England and it narrowly goes over the heads of everyone

Michael Jones7 July 2018 16:26

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