Harry Maguire gives England the lead against Sweden
Harry Maguire gives England the lead against Sweden

Sweden 0-2 England: England reach World Cup semi-final with victory


Follow all the action from England's clash with Sweden with our live blog of the action. The Three Lions are aiming to make their first World Cup semi-final since Italia '90.

By Tom Carnduff

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16:50 - FULL-TIME - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

THE THREE LIONS HAVE DONE IT! THEY ARE IN THE SEMI-FINAL OF THE WORLD CUP!

This is absolutely fantastic from England - they've really made the nation proud, and it's not over yet!

Croatia or Russia await in the last-four - they kick-off at 7pm.

16:47 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Five minutes added time here for England to hold on...

16:46 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Sweden had a free-kick in a very dangerous position - but it's blasted over the bar! Marcus Rashford replaces Raheem Sterling.

16:45 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Over 2.5 goals is now 5/2 if you fancy another one in the dying minutes...

Back it by heading here

16:44 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

88 minutes gone, England have no intention of time-wasting - which reflects the confidence that this young group of players have.

16:42 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Here's the #scenes (as the kids say) from one pub in Leeds when the Three Lions made it 2-0.

16:41 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Straight swap for England, with Eric Dier replacing Jordan Henderson for the final moments of the game. Henderson was on a yellow card going into this one, now he will be available for the semi-final if England get there.

Good news Leeds fans, your man Pontus Jansson is on the pitch ready for some juicy long balls.

16:39 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

83 minutes played and England still have an interest in attacking. Remarkably, Harry Kane has not had a shot on target this game!

16:35 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Over 2.5 goals has been enhanced to 11/10 with Sky Bet.

Sweden need to get forward and try to get back into this game - which could lead to a goal for them or present England with the opportunity to counter.

I quite like that value at this point in the game - and you can back it by heading here.

16:33 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Fabian Delph is on for the goalscorer Alli - and his first act nearly leads to a goal. His cross finds Kane who opts to play it out wide to Trippier, the cross is dangerous but Sweden scramble to get it away.

16:29 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

I wasn't sure on Lingard before the World Cup - now I'm debating where to get my 'JLingz' tattoo - wonderful run in the opposition area but his through ball to Sterling is a little over hit.

16:25 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Game management is needed from England here - 20 minutes left and they lead 2-0. They're just had another corner but Sweden managed to clear the danger.

16:22 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

England's to score a third headed goal (in 90 minutes) is enhanced to 6/1 with Sky Bet.

That looks very tempting given how good England have been in the air in attack.

You can back that here.

16:18 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

MAGNIFICENT FROM PICKFORD! Sweden attack and work the ball into the box - the shot comes and Pickford gets low to save from close-range - credit to Henderson too who threw himself in front of the follow up and England clear.

16:15 - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

Now I mentioned moments ago that Sterling was getting in the right positions but right next to him was Alli. Jesse Lingard curls a cross in and Alli heads home completely unmarked. The Three Lions have doubled their advantage.

16:14 - GOAL - SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

DELE ALLI STRIKES!!!

16:12: SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

Back on the betting front, Sky Bet have enhanced the odds on Raheem Sterling scoring the second goal at 9/1.

He may have missed a couple of opportunities - but he's getting in the right places and if he carries on he is capable of striking.

You can back that here.

16:08 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

Sweden seeing plenty of the ball and are looking to use their height in attack. Forsberg's attempted cross sails over without trouble.

16:04 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

What a save by Jordan Pickford! Sweden have started the half well - cross comes in and the header is powerful and heading for the bottom corner - Pickford is there to knock the ball away.

16:01 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

We're back underway.

15:56 - OH. MY. WORD.

Come on Perisic - deliver it for this Sky Bet customer!

15:50 - Having a little scout around for some half-time bets, Sky Bet are offering any England player to score a header in the second half enhanced to 4/1.

Seems decent, England are clearly looking to utilise crosses into the box alongside set-pieces.

You can back that by heading here.

15:46 - HALF-TIME: SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

England deservedly lead - but they'll hope they don't live to regret more missed opportunities. The Three Lions didn't want the whistle there as they were really applying the pressure.

15:45 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

OH MY WORD WHAT A CHANCE FOR RAHEEM STERLING! Another ball over the top, tries to take it round - his shot is eventually deflected behind.

15:44 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

Long ball over the top plays in Raheem Sterling, but Victor Lindelof does enough to take the ball away from him. Moments later, Sterling hits his one-on-one chance at the goalkeeper, but luckily it's offside.

15:41 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

As expected, Sweden have had to up their tempo a bit now, a goal before half-time would be ideal for them - and they are finding space at times...

15:36 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

Set-pieces have been key for England this tournament, and they're struck once again from one here.

15:30 - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

Corner is drilled in from Ashley Young - and Harry Maguire is there to smash his header into the bottom corner. The Three Lions lead 1-0.

15:30 - GOAL! - SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND

HARRRRYYYYY MAGGGGUUUIIIIRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!

15:28 - SWEDEN 0-0 ENGLAND

Still not the best of starts, but it can be expected given the importance of the game. England need to be aware of the Sweden counter-attack.

15:20 - SWEDEN 0-0 ENGLAND

Banter McBanterface

15:15 - SWEDEN 0-0 ENGLAND

Goodbye, Samara - it's the last World Cup game at this venue...

15:12 - SWEDEN 0-0 ENGLAND

Sweden seeing a fair bit of the ball already, neither side has had a clear cut chance though

15:08 - SWEDEN 0-0 ENGLAND

The referee and Jordan Henderson have had a few words already, interesting to see what's going on there. England have had a few loose passes already, maybe a bit nervous early on.

15:06 - SWEDEN 0-0 ENGLAND

Sweden off the hook there - Alli wins the ball, tries to play in Kane but it's too far and the keeper collects...

15:00 - KICK-OFF! Sweden get us underway...

14:58 - Cards for Ekdal, Claesson, Walker, Lingard or Henderson would see them suspended for a potential semi-final game

14:56 - Anthems done - how are the nerves?

14:52 - The teams are making their way onto the pitch, here we go...

14:47 - It's getting busy in Leeds ahead of kick-off. I snapped this picture of one of the many pubs and bars in Leeds that are packed as I went out to get a sandwich before things get underway.

Decent atmosphere and big screens. The sandwich? Chicken Tandoori - would 100% recommend.

14:33 - TEAM NEWS REMINDER

Sweden XI: Olsen, Krafth, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Claesson, Berg, Toivonen

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Lingard, Henderson, Alli, Young, Kane, Sterling

14:25 - John Stones has scored twice at the World Cup so far and both were headers. I've just seen that Sky Bet have enhanced the Manchester City man to score another header here at 16/1, decent value given his anytime goalscorer odds are 11s...

That bet can be found here.

14:20 - "After that game the other night, just the joy in everyone's face... we'd worked so hard to come through that. It makes us even more proud of each other.

"I look at them like my brothers and I know they look at me the same. We'd do anything for each other. That's what we've got to do for the rest of the tournament.

"When you go through a battle like that and when you come through it gives you so much energy, so much belief to go and do it again. The feeling after is amazing.

"We're hungry for more. We want that feeling. If it goes to extra-time and penalties, then we'll be ready for that.

"If we can win in 90 minutes then great, but we're ready to do whatever it takes."

The words of Harry Kane on this one - read more from the England captain.

14:05 - We've managed to get the odds on Harry Kane to score a brace against Sweden boosted by Sky Bet to 13/2, exclusively for Sporting Life readers.

Be quick though! Head here to bet

13:55 - I was on tipping duty for this one - and I'm pinning my hopes on Kieran Trippier's attacking prowess...

Head here for two 5/1 best bets for Sweden v England

13:51 - Sweden had an unexpected wake-up call this morning - will that affect them during the game?!

13:40 - TEAM NEWS IS IN!

Sweden XI: Olsen, Krafth, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Claesson, Berg, Toivonen

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Lingard, Henderson, Alli, Young, Kane, Sterling

- No changes from the win over Colombia - interesting to see fitness levels given the need for extra-time and penalties...

13:37 - A look at Sky Bet's odds for this one - England are 17/20 for victory in 90 minutes, with the draw at 11/5 and Sweden priced at 4/1 to get the job done in normal time. England are 2/5 to make the last-four, whilst Sweden are 2/1.

Head here to bet

13:35 - Welcome along! How are the nerves? England take on Sweden in Samara looking for a spot in the semi-final. Can the Three Lions do it?


Odds correct at the time of publishing

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