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As it happenedended1530982635

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

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 (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.

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Sweden and England face each other today for the 25th time and a third time at a World Cup.

But here's where it gets interesting: Of the last 24 matches Sweden have won seven, England eight and nine have been drawn.

That's almost a level playing field between the two sides, so much so that both World Cup games ended in draws.

The sides drew their opening match 1-1 in 2002 and then 2-2 in the final game in 2006. Sweden did not lead in either game and came back to equalise three times.

What will the result be today? If history is anything to go by we could be in for penalties again.

Michael Jones7 July 2018 12:20
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Carlsberg and IKEA aren't the only ones getting into the betting spirit Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and our very own David Beckham have got in on the action!

If ever there were more incentive for an England victory, it's seeing Zlatan supporting England at Wembley with fish and chips

Michael Jones7 July 2018 12:32
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Jamie Vardy is England's only serious injury concern ahead of the quarter-final.

He picked up a groin problem in the game against Colombia and has not trained with the team properly since.

"We just need to check with Vardy again in the morning," said Gareth Southgate. "He completed what we'd hoped he would today but slightly separate to the team.

"We'll just check if there's any reaction to that."

Michael Jones7 July 2018 12:40
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Want a behind the scenes look at the glitz and glamour of covering the World Cup, then our own Miguel Delaney's got you covered

Michael Jones7 July 2018 12:54
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The man, the myth, the waistcoat wearing legend himself Gareth Southgate has been chatting with Fifa TV ahead of today's match, have a look at what he's had to say...

Michael Jones7 July 2018 13:10
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Jermain Defoe reminded us all of the true nature of football earlier, how it creates joy and love and brings us together especially in World Cup years when we get to interact and learn more about other nations and cultures.

The former England forward paid tribute to his friend Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland super-fan who tragically passed away a year ago after losing his battle with childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

No doubt he'll be in the thoughts of many England supporters today.

Michael Jones7 July 2018 13:20
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A 16-hour train journey from Moscow to Samara, to watch England in the quarter-final of the World Cup, no first class, no third class and crucially no beer for sale.

Oliver Carroll takes us through the trip of the English fans preparing for the Swedish clash.

Michael Jones7 July 2018 13:30
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The team news is out for Sweden vs England, England are unchanged from their starting XI that defeated Colombia earlier in the week

Michael Jones7 July 2018 13:40
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How do we all feel about this England team, happy? mad? nervous?... 

Let's face it I think we're all a little nervous for this one, c'mon England!

Michael Jones7 July 2018 13:49
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Michael Jones7 July 2018 13:55

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