England vaults past Sweden into first World Cup semi-final in 28 years

England will vie for a spot in the World Cup final after a pair of headed goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli was all it took for the Three Lions to defeat Sweden 2-0 and book a place in Wednesday's semi-final against Russia or Croatia.

Gareth Southgate's squad first broke through a resilient Sweden side after 30 minutes when Maguire rose above Emil Forsberg to head home Ashley Young's corner kick, giving the Leicester City defender his first international goal. An unmarked Alli doubled England's lead in the 58th minute, connecting with Jesse Lingard's first-time cross from the edge of the box at the far post.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was named man of the match, and made three saves to preserve his side's advantage, including a sprawling one-armed stop just past the hour mark to deny Viktor Claesson following a neat build-up from Sweden.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

England last competed in a World Cup semi-final in 1990 when it took a 1-1 draw with West Germany into extra time before losing in a penalty shootout to the eventual champion.

Sweden's quarter-final exit is the country's best World Cup showing of this millennium. It last reached the semi-final in 1994, where it lost 1-0 to Brazil before going on to win the third-place match against Bulgaria. Sweden's best-ever World Cup finish also ended against the South American side, as it lost the 1958 final at home, 5-2, to Brazil.