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World Cup 2018: England vs Sweden, live coverage of quarter-final at Samara Arena

England books a World Cup semi-final spot with a clinical display against Sweden, winning 2-0 through two set-piece headers.

15 min read
1:22AMJuly 08, 2018.
Updated 12:19PMJuly 10, 2018
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Harry Maguire of England rises above the pack to scores his team's first goal against Sweden. Photo: Getty Images
Harry Maguire of England rises above the pack to scores his team's first goal against Sweden. Photo: Getty Images

Headers from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli fired an impressive England into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 28 years after they eased their way to a 2-0 victory over a dogged but disappointing Sweden.

Maguire opened the scoring in the 30th minute at the Samara Arena and Alli doubled the lead after the break as Gareth Southgate’s young squad continued to defy dampened pre-tournament expectations with another confident display overnight.

For once it was not Harry Kane who claimed the plaudits as the tournament’s top scorer was kept quiet, but England found another hero at the other end of the pitch as Jordan Pickford produced three superb saves to shut out the workmanlike Swedes.

England team players celebrate their victory over Sweden at the Samara Arena. Photo: AP
England team players celebrate their victory over Sweden at the Samara Arena. Photo: AP

Hosts Russia or Croatia, who meet later on Saturday and are lower ranked than Gareth Southgate’s side, are all that stands between England and a first World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in 1966.

Sweden had reached the quarter-finals by making life hard for supposedly superior opponents and it was easy to see why after a dour opening when England looked incapable of stringing passes together against their hardworking opponents.

It was predictable in many ways, therefore, that the deadlock was broken from a set piece.

England had laboured without reward before Ashley Young lined up a corner on the left and his curled effort was met by Maguire charging forward with conviction and barging Emil Forsberg out of his way to power a header down into the net.

That was England’s eighth set-piece goal at this World Cup, but, while they are seemingly lethal from dead balls, apart from Kane they are not blessed with too many other sharp shooters.

Raheem Sterling has faced some criticism over his struggles to score for England and just before halftime his doubters were handed ammunition when he was twice left alone to bear down on Sweden keeper Robin Olsen.

His blushes were saved by the linesman’s flag as he fluffed the first chance, but moments later he ran through again, this time trying to round the keeper, only to be denied once more.

England were almost made to pay straight after the interval and would have been pegged back if Pickford had not produced a top-drawer save to keep out a Berg header.

The killer blow, however, arrived in the 59th minute as Jesse Lingard’s teasing cross into the box was met by Alli unmarked at the far post to head powerfully past Olsen.

England had not kept a clean sheet in their four previous matches and had Pickford to thank for ensuring they did not concede this time. The keeper saved superbly from Viktor Claesson before tipping a shot from Berg over the bar and that was enough to ensure Swedish hopes of reaching their first semi-final since 1994 were dashed.

REUTERS

■ Read below to recap our live coverage from the match

Daniel Sankey 1.53am: England win 2-0

The full-time whistle sounds and England is through to the World Cup semi-finals with a clinical 2-0 dismantling of a disappointing Sweden at the Samara Arena.

England’s set piece prowess was on show in this contest, with Harry Maguire and Dele Alli both heading home — Maguire from a corner 30 minutes into the first half and Alli from a Jesse Lingard free kick on 58 minutes.

A contest with the winner of the Russia vs Croatia quarter-final, to kick off at 4am AEST, awaits England … but no matter their opponent, they’ll go into that match full of confidence that they can earn a spot in the World Cup final.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was once again superb for his team, pulling off a couple of crucial saves from Sweden striker Marcus Berg to earn his first clean sheet of the competition.

And while England captain Harry Kane was kept quiet, it was the speed and creativity of the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Alli that had Sweden on the backfoot for much of the match.

FULLTIME — ENGLAND 2-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 1.46am: Sweden wastes another chance

A late opportunity for Sweden, with a free kick on the edge of the penalty area in the 90th minute.

Left-footer Ludwig Augustinsson steps up to take the free kick and blasts it metres over the crossbar … which pretty much sums up Sweden’s night.

Five minutes of injury time to be played, with England cruising into the semi-finals

ENGLAND 2-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 1.32am: Alli makes way for Delph

Midfielder Deli Alli is the first man to be substituted for England, with Fabian Delph — recently returned to the squad after a trip home for the birth of his third child, a baby daughter — getting his opportunity.

An important contribution from Alli tonight. His second half goal has given England a vital cushion as we head into the final stages of this match.

ENGLAND 2-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 1.27am: Pickford again called into action

Sweden aren’t giving up this match without a fight, and it’s Marcus Berg who again forces a save from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

On 70 minutes, Berg controls a cross in the penalty area with the goal at his back, but is able to get off a lightning strike as he turns. Pickford proves equal to the challenge, getting a fingertip to it to send it over the crossbar.

England’s back three is not invulnerable … and Berg looks the man most likely to engineer a Sweden comeback.

ENGLAND 2-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 1.18am: GOAL! England 2-0

Commentator Martin Tyler says it best when he says England are heading for the semi-finals … because that’s exactly what Dele Alli has done, nodding in a cross from Jesse Lingard on the right on 58 minutes to give his team a 2-0 lead.

It was ridiculously easy for Alli, who ducked in behind the defence and gave goalkeeper Robin Olsen no chance.

But England can’t afford to rest on their laurels, with Sweden almost pulling one back on 62 minutes as striker Marcus Berg forces another fantastic save from Jordan Pickford.

ENGLAND 2-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 1.11am: England’s set piece perfection

Another dangerous set piece from England on 53 minutes almost seems them double their lead. A foul on Harry Kane gives Ashley Young the chance to whip in a free kick from the left. He finds Harry Maguire on the far post, who heads back in front of goal, but it’s cleared in a scramble.

Every set piece does look a goalscoring opportunity for England.

ENGLAND 1-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 1.03am: Back underway at Samara Arena

As England fans swing God Save the Queen in the stands, we get things back underway in the second half in this World Cup quarter-final clash between England and Sweden.

Just 45-and-a-bit minutes to a World Cup berth for England, assuming they don’t concede. For Sweden, it’s time to up the tempo.

And with less than two minutes gone in the second half, that’s exactly what Sweden striker Marcus Berg does, forcing a brilliant one-handed save from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as he rises to head a cross from the left.

Warning signs for England, maybe? Berg, who plays his club football for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, has yet to really show his best at this World Cup and has not yet got his name on the scoresheet. He’ll be hoping to change that tonight.

ENGLAND 1-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 12.45am: Halftime — England 1-0

The players head to the sheds for the halftime break, with England fully deserving their 1-0 lead which came via a Harry Maguire header from their first corner of the match on 30 minutes.

Raheem Sterling had a golden opportunity to double England’s lead on 45 minutes when a perfect long ball from Jordan Henderson put him into a one-on-one opportunity with Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen. However, Olsen was able to get a touch on the ball before it was eventually cleared for a corner.

This time, Sweden survived the set piece to keep the deficit to one goal — but they’re going to need to show a lot more endeavour in attack in the second half if they’re to trouble England.

ENGLAND 1-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 12.31am: GOAL! England 1-0

Sweden’s defence takes no chances with a Kieran Trippier cross in the 30th minute, giving England their first corner of the match.

And England makes the most of the opportunity, with defender Harry Maguire charging onto a perfect delivery from Ashley Young to slam a header past Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

That’s a well-deserved goal for England, who’ve dominated the possession in this first half.

ENGLAND 1-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 12.20am: Kane shoots wide

Huge opportunity just before the 19 minute-mark for England, with Harry Kane shooting just wide after a brilliant run from Raheem Sterling.

The Manchester City man dashed clear and found Kane on the edge of the penalty area, giving the England captain a free shot at goal that he dragged just a foot or so to the left of Sweden’s goal.

E NGLAND 0-0 SWEDEN

Harry Kane reacts after a missed opportunity. Photo: Getty Images
Harry Kane reacts after a missed opportunity. Photo: Getty Images

Daniel Sankey 12.14am: Walker cross no threat

England defender Kyle Walker is the first man with an opportunity to send a meaningful ball into Sweden’s penalty area, but it’s easily cleaned up by goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

On the counter-attack, Sweden midfielder Viktor Claesson is able to have a crack at a long-range strike which sails harmlessly over the crossbar … but even still, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is not happy with his defenders and he lets them know about it.

Still no score after 13 minutes at the Samara Arena.

ENGLAND 0-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 12.04am: Quarter-final is underway

We’re underway at the Samara Arena and it’s willing early, with England midfielder Jesse Lingard copping a heavy check from behind that maybe should have resulted in a free kick.

England doing a good job holding possession early, with Sweden content to sit back and look for counterattacking opportunities … and I expect that’s probably what we can expect for much of this match.

No score after four minutes.

ENGLAND 0-0 SWEDEN

Daniel Sankey 11.56pm: Ready for kick off

The national anthems have been sung and we’re just moments away from kick-off at Samara Arena. Good luck to both teams!

An England fan kisses a replica of the World Cup trophy before kick off at Samara Arena. Photo: AP
An England fan kisses a replica of the World Cup trophy before kick off at Samara Arena. Photo: AP

Daniel Sankey 11.45pm: Popovic leans to England

Former Socceroo and current Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic strongly favours England to progress to the World Cup semi-finals with victory against Sweden tonight.

Popovic said England’s 3-5-2 system, spearheaded by the attacking duo of Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, matched up well against the defensively-minded Swedes.

“They’ve bought into the formation, the philosophy … the camaraderie looks great, the unity. I believe the shape that they are playing probably will be suited to the 4-4-2 that Sweden are playing,” Popovic told Optus Sport.

“It might enable them to even attack a lot more. Of course they can be vulnerable on the counter-attack against this Swedish side, but they look happy and confident.”

Daniel Sankey 11.30pm: Players on the pitch

The warm-ups are underway at the Samara Arena, with kick-off in the England vs Sweden World Cup quarter-final just half an hour away.

England captain Harry Kane warms up. Photo: Getty Images
England captain Harry Kane warms up. Photo: Getty Images

It’s an unchanged starting XI for the Three Lions, with wingback Ashley Young and defender Kyle Walker both overcoming minor niggles to take their place tonight.

There’s also good news on the bench for England, with striker Jamie Vardy overcoming a groin strain. He’ll be a key man if England is chasing late goals tonight.

There are a couple of changes for Sweden, with the suspended Mikael Lustig replaced at right back by Emil Krafth. Sebastian Larsson, though, returns from suspension to take his place in midfield, with Gustav Svensson returning to the bench.

11.20am: Current mood?

We’re sure David Brent is not alone...

11.04pm: Kane ready to make history

Harry Kane will seek to fire England into their first World Cup semi-final for 28 years when they face Sweden tonight.

Gareth Southgate’s young side face the Scandinavians in Samara (midnight AEST) with a place in the last four against either Croatia or hosts Russia up for grabs.

In the other half of the draw, Belgium’s 2-1 win against Brazil set up a meeting with France in Saint Petersburg next week after Didier Deschamps’s side saw off two-time winners Uruguay 2-0.

With the exits of Brazil and Uruguay, there are no multiple winners left in the competition, while it is the first time in history that none of Brazil, Germany or Argentina have made the semi-finals.

That leaves perhaps the most wide-open World Cup of modern times heading towards the final week, and England manager Southgate has called on his team to take advantage.

“We came into this tournament as the least experienced team — we were one of the youngest teams in it,” he said. “But we said that we’re an improving side who want to make our own history.”

England coach Gareth Southgate. Photo: AFP
England coach Gareth Southgate. Photo: AFP

The 1966 champions edged out Colombia in the last 16 with their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout win after three previous defeats, securing a first knockout-round victory at a major tournament since beating Ecuador in 2006.

“We’ve already had our first knockout win in 12 years, our first win in a penalty shootout in a World Cup for England, the highest number of goals scored in an individual game (against Panama),” added former defender Southgate.

“We want to keep making that history.”

England’s talismanic captain Kane, with six goals in Russia so far, is the hot favourite to win the Golden Boot, two ahead of Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku.

Sweden, who reached the quarter-finals courtesy of Emil Forsberg’s deflected strike against Switzerland, are trying to reach their first semi-final since 1994 after a solid campaign in which they have kept three clean sheets in four matches.

England captain Harry Kane (right) checks out the pitch prior to his team’s clash with Sweden at Samara Arena. Photo: Getty Images
England captain Harry Kane (right) checks out the pitch prior to his team’s clash with Sweden at Samara Arena. Photo: Getty Images

11pm: Starting formations

Sweden (4-4-2): Robin Olsen; Emil Krafth, Victor Lindelof, Andreas Granqvist (capt), Ludwig Augustinsson; Viktor Claesson, Sebastian Larsson, Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg; Marcus Berg, Ola Toivonen. Coach: Janne Andersson.

England (3-5-2): Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Ashley Young, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane (capt). Coach: Gareth Southgate.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED).

10.45pm: Starting XIs named

10.40pm: How the bookie sees it

England are hot favourites to advance to the World Cup semi-finals with victory over tournament outsiders Sweden tonight.

Online bookmaker PointsBet has made England a $1.87 favourite for tonight’s clash, with the draw after regular time paying $3.20 and a Sweden victory $4.75.

In the “draw no bet market”, in which bets are refunded in the event of a draw at the end of regular time, England is a prohibitive $1.32, with Sweden at $3.42.

Not surprisingly, goalscoring machine Harry Kane is heavily favoured to be the first goalscorer for tonight’s match. PointsBet has the England captain $3.60 to be the first goalscorer tonight, ahead of teammates Jamie Vardy ($6.00), Marcus Rashford ($6.75), Danny Welbeck ($7.00) and Raheem Sterling ($7.50). Sweden’s Marcus Berg ($9.50) and the England pair of Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard (also both $9.50) are next in the betting.

England forward Raheem Sterling is a $7.50 chance to be the first goalscorer in PointsBet’s market for tonight’s match. Photo: AFP
England forward Raheem Sterling is a $7.50 chance to be the first goalscorer in PointsBet’s market for tonight’s match. Photo: AFP

10.30pm: PREVIEW — England can’t underestimate Sweden

Defender John Stones has warned his England teammates they cannot underestimate Sweden with a World Cup semi-finals spot at stake.

The Three Lions take on Sweden in Samara tonight (midnight AEST), but the fact England needed extra time and penalties to defeat Colombia in the last 16 shows there is still plenty of work ahead despite being in the better half of the draw.

“There are no easy games. I think if you say it’s an easy game in a quarter-final of a World Cup, then you are pretty stupid to say that,” Stones said.

“They’ve got a lot of quality. They play very structured from the back, sit quite deep from what we’ve seen, and we know what we’re up against. Sometimes they can throw you these teams, they can go kind of under the radar, but there is no question they are a good team. They wouldn’t be where they are if they weren’t.”

England defender John Stones is wary of Sweden. Photo: AFP
England defender John Stones is wary of Sweden. Photo: AFP

The highlight of Sweden’s campaign so far was beating Mexico 3-0 to top their group, and Janne Andersson’s side then won a tight contest with Switzerland in the last 16.

Sweden have, of course, enjoyed some memorable World Cup campaigns in the past — reaching the final on home soil in 1958 where they lost to Brazil and then the semi-finals in 1994 where again the South Americans ended their dreams. Swedish captain Andreas Granqvist isn’t worried about England enjoying the greater possession and expects his team to stick to their tried and tested approach.

“If you look at the games we have played, the opponent has had more ball possession than we have, but we have created more chances, more dangerous chances,” Granqvist said.

“This is how we play, this is what we need to do, this is our strength, and we also need to see our quality against other strong teams. This is the way for us to have success, and we’re going to continue this way”.

Inspirational leader … Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist. Photo: AFP
Inspirational leader … Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist. Photo: AFP

England could be without substitute striker Jamie Vardy who has a groin injury, but they are hoping left-back Ashley Young’s ankle knock won’t keep him on the sidelines and that midfielder Dele Alli’s thigh injury isn’t a major problem. The last time the pair met in a competitive fixture was at the European Championship in 2012, when Roy Hodgson’s England won 3-2 thanks to a Danny Welbeck winner.

Overall from 24 meetings, England have won eight to Sweden’s seven, with nine games ending in a draw.

REUTERS

10.15pm: Sweden’s rude awakening

Sweden’s players suffered a rude awakening ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash with England when the fire alarm went off at their hotel in Samara, leading it to be evacuated.

The Swedish players were roused from their slumbers and moved out of their rooms this morning, but luckily it turned out to be a false alarm and they could go back to recharging their batteries ahead of their first World Cup quarter-final since 1994.

“It was just after half past eight this morning, a false alarm. All the players are feeling fine,” Sweden press officer Staffan Stjernholm said.

REUTERS

10pm: Legends lay it on the line

David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have plenty riding on the World Cup quarter-final between England and Sweden.

Swedish great Ibrahimovic is now playing in America for ex-England captain Beckham’s former side Los Angeles Galaxy.

The two men’s careers have followed similar paths, both also playing for the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan, and playing together at Paris Saint-Germain.

Ibrahimovic offered Beckham a bet before Saturday’s showdown in Samara.

“If England win I buy you dinner wherever you want in the world, but if Sweden wins you buy me whatever I want from Ikea, OK?” he proposed on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Beckham replied on Instagram, saying: “If Sweden win I will personally take you to Ikea and buy you whatever you need for the new mansion in LA, but when England win I want you to come watch an England game at Wembley wearing an England shirt and enjoy fish and chips at halftime.”

The Galaxy sealed the agreement between the two men, with eyes set to be on them to see if they carry out their respective forfeits.

PA

9.45pm: World Cup stays in Europe

The World Cup is staying in Europe and it’s not even a close race.

All four semi-finalists at this year’s tournament in Russia will be European. The most powerful continent in world soccer is also assured of having a fourth- straight title winner from a fourth different country.

Europe’s overwhelming dominance in club soccer is also playing out on the World Cup stage.

South America’s last hopes at the tournament were eliminated on Friday in the first two quarter-final.

Brazil, the last non-European World Cup winner in 2002, were beaten 2-1 by Belgium 2-1 while Uruguay lost 2-0 to France.

The all-European final foursome will be completed when England play Sweden and Russia face Croatia in Saturday’s quarter-final matches.

“Reality from a financial point of view, from a historical point of view, could not be ignored,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said after being asked about Europe’s strength.

“Don’t ask me something that is self-evident.”

Tabarez led Uruguay to the semi-finals in 2010 when they were beaten by the Netherlands, who lost to Spain in the final.

Europe’s winning run began with Italy in 2006 while Germany were victorious in Brazil in 2014.

A title for France or England in Moscow on July 15 would keep the glory within a closed circle of countries whose national teams, domestic leagues and television markets are known as Europe’s “Big Five”: Spain, Italy and Germany are the others.

They are home to the richest and most storied clubs, attract the most valuable broadcast deals worldwide, and place most teams in the Champions League. The five will have 21 of the 32 places next season.

It is a virtuous circle helping earn more prize money and build lucrative global brands.

AP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/world-cup-2018-england-vs-sweden-live-coverage-of-quarterfinal-at-samara-arena/news-story/3ef261a4efc190503e7686b497eb90e3