England are in dreamland after making it through to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli against stoic Sweden.

Days after laying their penalty ghosts to rest against Colombia, Gareth Southgate’s men diligently went about their job in Samara to continue this extraordinary summer and bring the fantasy of replicating the heroes of 1966 closer to reality.

Croatia or hosts Russia now await in just England’s third World Cup semi-final, with headers either side of half-time by Maguire and Alli securing a comfortable 2-0 quarter-final win against surprise package Sweden.

Tweet of the match

Moment of the match

After a nervy start from both sides, Leicester defender Maguire showed great composure and power to crash in a header from a corner on 30 minutes to give England a foothold.

England star man – Jordan Pickford

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford showed great reactions to help his side secure victory.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford showed great reactions to help his side secure victory (Tim Goode/PA Images)

Despite England providing plenty of problems for the Sweden defence, goalkeeper Pickford had to produce a couple of saves from the top drawer to help see the Three Lions home. The Everton man continues to see his stature rise – and without the need for more penalty shoot-out heroics.

Stat Attack

McGuire picked a fine moment to open his international account as England scored goal number eight from set-pieces.

  • 11 - Russia 2018
  • 11 - England 1966
  • 8 - Switzerland 1954
  • 8 - Italy 1990
  • 7 - France 1998
  • 7 - Mexico 1986

The only other time the Three Lions have found the net 10 or more times at the World Cup finals was in 1966.

Player ratings

England: Jordan Pickford 8 (out of 10), Kyle Walker 7, John Stones 7, Harry Maguire 8, Kieran Trippier 7, Dele Alli 7, Jordan Henderson 7, Jesse Lingard 6, Ashley Young 6, Raheem Sterling 7, Harry Kane 6.

Subs: Fabian Delph (for Alli, 76) 6, Eric Dier (for Henderson, 85) 5, Marcus Rashford (for Sterling, 90) 5.

Sweden: Robin Olsen 6 (out of 10), Emil Krafth 6, Victor Lindelof 6, Andreas Granqvist 6, Ludwig Augustinsson 7, Viktor Claesson 7, Sebastian Larsson 6, Albin Ekdal 6, Emil Forsberg 5, Marcus Berg 6, Ola Toivonen 5.

Subs: Martin Olsson (for Forsberg, 65) 5, John Guidetti (for Toivonen, 65) 6, Pontus Jansson (for Krafth, 85) 5.

Up next

England v Croatia/Russia, World Cup semi-final (Moscow, July 11)