Sweden 0–2 England for a place in a World Cup Semi-Final and the funny thing before kick off was that sixteen of England’s squad were not even born the last time they did reach one in 1990. Ahead of kick off I was quite confident of an England win and even more so once I heard we’d be starting the game unchanged. Early chances came and went for both sides as either sides defending looked uncertain in the opening exchanges.
Thankfully on the half hour mark, England once again produced from a set-piece as Leicester’s Harry McGuire powerfully headed home Ashley Young’s corner. Sterling then had two chances in the same move to make it 2-0 to England but on both occasions he took to long and was denied.
Sweden started the second-half the better and finally created a chance that Pickford had to save and save well. More saves from him would be required too. However, on the hour mark a wonderful floated Lingard cross was nodded in from close-range by Alli and although the game opened up a lot more England managed a clean-sheet. Oh and a place in a World Cup Semi-Final.
Sweden 0–2 England
Maguire Goal 30′
Alli Goal 59′
Next fixture for England:
Wednesday July 11th: Semi-Final – Croatia v England – Moscow (Luzhniki), 7pm
Croatia vs Russia and the hosts had exceeded all expectations to reach this stage of the competition, but there would be no first Semi-Final since 1966 for them, not that they didn’t give it a mighty good go. It was the Croatians that managed to get to the last four for the first time themselves since France 1998 when they finished third. Russia took the lead though through the best player of the tournament in Cheryshev as he scored yet another goal.
Kramaric equalised just eight minutes later though and although that is the way it finally finished after 90 minutes it wasn’t without chances for both sides. Into extra-time and a Vida header finally gave Croatia the lead but with six minutes from the end Russia’s believed again as Fernandes nodded in a cross from six yards out. Then it was all about penalties!
Russia 2–2 (a.e.t.) Croatia
Cheryshev Goal 31′
Fernandes Goal 115′
Kramarić Goal 39′
Vida Goal 101′
Penalties
Smolov Penalty missed
Dzagoev Penalty scored
Fernandes Penalty missed
Ignashevich Penalty scored
Kuzyayev Penalty scored
3–4
Penalty scored Brozović
Penalty missed Kovačić
Penalty scored Modrić
Penalty scored Vida
Penalty scored Rakitić
Next fixture for Croatia:
Wednesday July 11th: Semi-Final – Croatia v England – Moscow (Luzhniki), 7pm
