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

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.

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.

Key Points

• England beat Sweden 2-0 to reach the World Cup semi-finals
• Jonathan Liew: England's win over Sweden was that rarest treat - pure fun
• Five things we learned as England cruise through to last four
• Player ratings: Who starred as England beat Sweden?
• ​Pickford on his man-of-the-match award after goalkeeping masterclass
• Fabian Delph returns from birth of his daughter to help England reach semi-final

[7 July 2018 16:47 · Michael Jones]

90 mins: Augustinsson takes the shot but he gets right underneath the ball and it sails over the bar, Sterling is off now and Marcus Rashford comes on for the 5 minutes added on

[7 July 2018 16:50 · Michael Jones]

90+3 mins: England are strong in defence, and the England fans are full of voice, Kane wins a free kick for England, could they get a third?

[7 July 2018 16:52 · Michael Jones]

FULL TIME: SWEDEN 0 - 2 ENGLAND

They've done it! England are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup for only the third time and the first time since 1990.

It's coming home!

[7 July 2018 16:58 · Michael Jones]

Gareth Southgate, goes over to the England fans who have travelled to Samara and he's giving his trademark double fist pumps, yelling c'mon at the top of his voice

[7 July 2018 17:03 · Michael Jones]

The Harrys, Maguire and Kane spoke to Gabby Logan after the game, here's a snapshot of what they had to say:

"We know what would hurt them today, we knew set plays were a big thing and obviously the little box cross that Jesse put into Dele, we worked on that in training so credit to the staff and the players who executed it.

"We know there's still a big game ahead, but we're feeling good, we're feeling confident, today was great, we just have to go again and make the country proud."

[7 July 2018 17:04 · Michael Jones]

Here's Jack Watson​ with a breakdown of Harry Maguire's importance to England's ​semi-final

[7 July 2018 17:10 · Michael Jones]

 

[7 July 2018 17:15 · Michael Jones]

Jordan Pickford, one of England's heroes today spoke after the match saying:

"It's a great result. We knew it was going to be difficult against Sweden, we know what they bring to the party and we managed it very well. We showed our abilities coming out and our mental side of the game.

"After I made that first save against Berg, I felt that was me settled into the game. England fans are a different class and we really enjoyed playing when the fans are like that."

[7 July 2018 17:17 · Michael Jones]

How well did England play against Sweden?

​Lets have a look at the player ratings from Samara

[7 July 2018 17:22 · Michael Jones]

Lawrence Ostlere  takes you through the challenge that faced Sweden as they came up against a very confident England side, who'd have thought this 5-weeks ago?