World Cup 2018: Former Sweden international Hakan Mild says England play like 'spoilt children'

Sweden have the perfect draw as England will underestimate their opponents, according to Hakan Mild

Former Sweden International Hakan Mild has accused England of behaving like “spoilt children” and claims that Gareth Southgate’s side will arrogantly underestimate their quarter-final opponents.

Mild, who is no stranger to English football after playing for Wimbledon FC in 2001-02, represented Sweden 74 times in 1991-2001, and scored three goals against the Three Lions.

England won their first World Cup penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 with Colombia to set up a last eight clash with Sweden who beat Switzerland 1-0 in the round of 16 to advance to the quarter-final.

Most onlookers and pundits have been impressed with the refreshing humility and togetherness of Southgate’s young England side, but Mild took a different view when working as a pundit on Svergies Radio.

“It couldn’t be a better draw, they think they are so good, they are not,” he said. “They are spoilt children who earn a lot of money. They don’t have the desperation needed.”

Despite Harry Kane leading the way in the race for the Golden Boot, Mild says that England are not an intimidating side which gives Sweden an edge in the tie.

Mild says there is no need for Sweden to fear England (FIFA via Getty Images)

“You are not terrified when you see this team. It suits Sweden well,” Mild said. “If we get through the first 20 minutes we can go through. They are limited.

“I’m really impressed (with Sweden), how they have come up with this and how the team works together,” he added. “They do it together and the players submit to the idea.

“England have just played a long, tough game with extra time and I also think they have hubris. They think they are going to win and they will get an unpleasant surprise on Saturday.”

Southgate was thrilled with England’s dramatic win on Tuesday night but has called for calm ahead of their quarter-final clash and insists they will not underestimate their opponents in the way Mild suggests they will.

“I’m thinking about Sweden. They are another team we have a poor record against. We have underestimated them for years.

“We know exactly how they play and it’s going to be a real tough test. We’ve talked about creating our own stories, crating our own history and we did that. I don’t want to go home yet.”