Raheem Sterling Sebastian Larsson Sweden England World Cup 2018 070718Getty

Sweden vs England: Live blog, text commentary, line-ups, stream & TV channel

England fans have already been dreaming and the atmosphere will be cranked up even more now. Gareth Southgate's side are just one match away from the World Cup final, just two games away from immortality. Sweden, meanwhile, will return home but will have their heads held high.

England have done it! The quarter-final hurdle has been cleared for the first time since 1990 and the Three Lions will be set for only their third ever World Cup semi-final. Goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli were the difference today, with Sweden failing to offer any real threat throughout the match.

FULL-TIME! SWEDEN 0-2 ENGLAND

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90+4 Mins: Yellow card Sebastian Larsson

90+1 Mins: Third and final change for England, as Sterling is taken off for Rashford.

90 Mins: Maguire concedes a free-kick in a dangerous position for a push on Granqvist. Larsson and Augustinsson hover over the ball and it is the latter who takes, firing a wasteful shot well over the bar.

88 Mins: Guidetti also picks up a booking after clashing with Maguire.

87 Mins: A very silly yellow card for Maguire for kicking the ball away after conceding a foul.

85 Mins: A straight swap for England in midfield, as Henderson makes way for Dier.

83 Mins: Not long to go as England look to run down the clock. Sweden's heads are starting to drop.

81 Mins: A few afters as Pickford rushes off his line to snatch the ball, coming together with Berg. He reacts and the England defence quickly get behind him, though the referee quickly eases tensions.

79 Mins: England are taking no prisoners with their defensive play, throwing themselves in to block any attempt and standing firm to quell any attacking threat. They look like they will give their lives for the cause.

76 Mins:  Substitution: Dele Alli is replaced by Fabian Delph

STAT: Alli is the second youngest player to score a World Cup goal for England, behind only Michael Owen.

74 Mins: England still to make a change as they continue on the offensive, remaining firm at the back and threatening in attack. A famous victory is within touching distance for this young Three Lions side.

72 Mins: SAVE! Pickford is at it again! Another sweeping Sweden attack sees Berg receive the ball in the middle before turning for a shot that the Everton stopper tips over the bar.

71 Mins: The saying that a two goal lead is a dangerous one is certainly true, as one for Sweden now would lead to a very nervy end from England's perspective. A huge finale lies ahead.

69 Mins: England are showing no desire to sit back, they want to extend their lead. Changes are likely to follow in the coming moments from Southgate.

67 Mins: Alli has certainly responded to the earlier criticism I gave him, his goal was fantastic and is likely to be one we see repeat for the next few days. He looks to have instantly received a boost in confidence.

65 Mins: Substitution Emil Forsberg is replaced by Martin Olsson

65 Mins: Substitution Ola Toivonen is off for John Guidetti

64 Mins: The game has opened up now, with Sweden desperately looking to claw their way back into the match. England still look in the mood though. 

62 Mins: WHAT A SAVE! Pickford is at it again! Sweden carve England open with a swift attacking move and gets down quickly to deny Claesson after Berg's backheel, before Henderson makes a crucial block to deny the rebound.59 Mins: GOOOOOAL! 2-0! England double their lead! Another sweeping cross is floated towards the far post where Alli has escaped his marker, heading home with ease. England are in dreamland!

56 Mins: Still a long way to go for England, who are of course yet to keep a clean sheet at this World Cup.

54 Mins: CHANCE! England put Sweden under pressure with another set-piece that causes problems, with Maguire heading the ball across the goal twice but no team-mate is able to tuck home.

52 Mins: Forsberg floats a cross over the top of Pickford's net as Sweden continue to push for an equaliser. England yet to get a foothold on the game since the restart.

50 Mins: Sweden have started the second half on the offensive but are leaving space in behind for England to exploit, which will appeal to Sterling in particular.

STAT: Sweden have never won a World Cup game where they have been behind at the break, drawing two and losing nine. However, 11 of Sweden’s last 14 goals at the World Cup have been scored in the second half - including five of six in 2018.

47 Mins: SAVE!!! Pickford gets across brilliantly to stop Berg's header at the far post. Sweden have started brightly.

46 Mins: Back underway in Samara, where England restart the action.


Sweden have switched to a higher line since falling behind, giving Sterling plenty of room to exploit. England have been strong defensively under Southgate but they will certainly face pressure in the second half. There is still plenty to be done if football is to come home.

England have the advantage at the interval thanks to Harry Maguire's powerful header and Southgate's side ended the first-half in a strong possession. Sweden look like they needed the break and have not managed to offer any real threat in the final third.

HALF-TIME! SWEDEN 0-1 ENGLAND


45 Mins: Sterling is onside this time in almost a carbon copy of his previous chance he tries to round the keeper but can't find the net.

44 Mins: Raheem Sterling is flagged offside after he missed a golden opportunity, his blushes are spared for the moment but he needs to do better in future.

42 Mins: Sweden have seen a lot more of the ball since Maguire's goal but Pickford is yet to be tested between the sticks.

STAT: This is only the second time that England have scored 10 or more goals in a single World Cup campaign. Their first was in 1966.

38 Mins: Sweden putting the pressure on but are lacking the final ball, while England are currently sat with their backs against the wall.

36 Mins: It is crucial that England maintain their advantage for the interval and they will be well aware of the dangers they face after conceding very late on against Colombia.

34 Mins: First blood to England, which should mean that Sweden switch to a more attacking style. They have focused on defending so far, limiting their attacking to just counter-attacks, but that may need to change.

32 Mins: Eight of England's 10 goals at the 2018 World Cup have been scored via set pieces (80%).

30 Mins: GOAAAAAL!!! ENGLAND LEAD! Harry Maguire rises highest from a corner and smashes his header into the bottom corner. 1-0

28 Mins: England remain with attacking intent but Sweden are very well organised defensively. It is shaping up to be a game that could be decided by just a single goal.

26 Mins: Mentioned Alli's disappointing form at the World Cup so far before kick-off and, unfortunately, he has not fared any better so far in this game. He is being very wasteful in possession.

25 Mins: Both sides are being very patient on the ball and not wanting to take any risks, as Berg is flagged offside after latching onto a pass over the top of England’s defence.

23 Mins: Half-hearted appeals for handball after Sterling's cross hits Forsberg's arm but there was certainly no intention and the referee waves play on.

21 Mins: England starting to find their rhythm as the fans in the stands find their voices. Sweden under pressure at the moment.

19 Mins: WIDE! England hit on the break with Sterling causing problems, before Kane took the ball and dragged a shot wide of Olsen's left-hand post.

18 Mins: A very scruffy game at the moment, with neither side creating a clear-cut opportunity. Sweden are utilising a verh high press, which is counteracting England's intention to play out from the back.

16 Mins: England look vulnerable in defence, particularly on the counter-attack. However, Sweden have not managed to get Forsberg on the ball yet.

STAT:  Sweden could become the third team that England have beaten at both the World Cup and European Championships, after Germany and Switzerland. They beat Sweden 3-2 in EURO 2012.

12 Mins: Claesson smashes an ambitious shot from distance over the top of Pickford's net, firing a warning to the England defence.

11 Mins:  Kyle Walker delivers a cross from deep after a one two with Trippier but it was easy for Olsen to collect.

10 Mins: England look nervous and have conceded possession on a number of occasions with sloppy passes, most recently with Alli.

8 Mins: Henderson has earned a talking two from referee Bjorn Kuipers twice already. He is not in the mood for any dissent and he could be on his last warning.

7 Mins: First real opening of the game as Alli nicks the ball off Sweden but his attempted pass through to Spurs team-mate Kane is overhit, allowing Olsen to collect easily.

5 Mins: Sweden more than happy to let England move the ball around as they are not getting anywhere with it.

3 Mins: England settling into control of possession, which is not a surprise considering how the two teams have played so far this tournament.

1 Min: KICK OFF! Sweden get the game underway who will progress to the semi-finals?


Showtime. The two teams take to the field for the national anthems, along with photos for FIFA's anti-racism campaign.

England have a poor record against Sweden historically, winning against the Scandinavians just twice in the past 49 years.

Both of the previous World Cup meetings between Sweden and England have finished level, with a 1-1 draw in 2002 and a 2-2 in 2006. Both were in the group stages.

England remain unchanged from the team that dramatically ended the penalty curse on Tuesday to defeat Colombia, despite plenty of speculation. Alli has not been at his best form at the tournament but retains his spot, as does Sterling. Maguire and Trippier have been excellent so far and will aim to continue today in Samara.

Sweden make two changes to the side that defeated Swtizerland 1-0 in the round-of-16, with Krafth coming into the defence and Larsson returning to midfield after serving a suspension. Mikael Lustig misses out with a suspension of his own, while Svensson drops to the bench.

Once dubbed as a quarter-final side, England have not been at this stage at the World Cup for 12 years. It has been 28 years since the Three Lions last won at this stage and, with the way the draw has shaped up, Gareth Southgate's side may never have a better chance of going all the way. The nation believes football is coming home - it is time to see if that is true.

30 Mins to KO: In the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994, Sweden have shown themselves to be a resilient outfit at the World Cup - keeping three clean sheets in four games. They may not have a household name to push the team forward but they are incredibly capable and, like England, will fancy their chances for this match.

40 Mins to KO: Hello and welcome to this live text commentary of the World Cup quarter-final between Sweden and England in Russia.

Game Sweden vs England
Date Saturday, July 7
Time 3pm BST / 10am ET
Stream (US only) fubo TV (7-day free trial

Confirmed Line-ups


Sweden possess a whole host of talent playing across the top European leagues, with RB Leipzig's Emil Forsberg likely to be a key player today.

Confirmed Sweden XI:Robin Olsen; Emil Krafth, Victor Lindelof, Andreas Granqvist, Ludwig Augustinsson; Viktor Claesson, Sebastian Larsson, Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg; Ola Toivonen, Marcus Berg. 

Sweden subs: Karl-Johan Johnsson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Martin Olsson, Gustav Svensson, Filip Helander, Pontus Jansson, Oscar Hiljemark, Marcus Rohden, Jimmy Durmaz, John Guidetti.

England remain unchanged from their penalty shootout win against Colombia, Alli starts despite reports of a thigh injury this week.

Confirmed England XI: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson; Kieran Trippier, Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli, Ashley Young; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane.

England subs: Jack Butland, Nick Pope, Gary Cahill, Danny Rose, Jamie Vardy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph, Eric Dier, Phil Jones, Danny Welbeck, Marcus Rashford, Trent Alexander-Arnold.


TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch


In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

US TV channelOnline stream
FOX / Telemundofubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on BBC One or streamed live online using the BBC iPlayer.

UK TV channelOnline stream
BBC OneBBC iPlayer

 

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