England vs Sweden: 3 reasons why England won

Sripad
FBL-WC-2018-MATCH60-SWE-ENG
FBL-WC-2018-MATCH60-SWE-ENG

A rather dull start to the game made it look like Sweden were going to play for the draw. England were trying hard to break down the Swedish back line but were unable to do anything to get past the titanic they parked.

There was nothing happening in the game for the first 25-odd minutes and the snoozefest was proving to be one of the worst knockout games of the tournament. However, Harry Maguire beat Emil Fosberg in the air and scored for England from a corner at the half-hour mark.

The game suddenly burst into life and both teams were looking to attack. There was no sitting back and defending from Sweden and England almost scored after Raheem Sterling ran in behind the defence. The Manchester City star missed an easy one-on-one chance and then failed to square the ball to Harry Kane when the Tottenham star was free and unmarked in front of the open goal!

Sweden began the second half with an intent to score from the word go and went close thanks to a brilliant header from Berg. Jordan Pickford was finally called into action and he made a breathtaking save to deny the Swedish striker.

Dele Alli scored a header just before the hour-mark and that ended all hopes of a Swedish comeback. Here are the three reasons why England won:


#3 Sir Jordan Pickford

Give him the knighthood already! Jordan Pickford has been playing out of his skin for England and is one of the main reasons why the Three Lions are into the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Today's clean sheet might have been his first at the World Cup but he has been making some stunning saves in every single game. The save he made early in the first half to deny Berg when the score was 1-0 has to be the one that broke the Swedish player's confidence.

Berg had another stunning shot saved mid-way through the second half – his 16th shot on target without finding the net at the World Cup. Pickford had very little time to react but somehow managed to push it over the bar.

#2 Solid defence throughout the game

Sweden v England - FIFA World Cup - Quarter Final - Samara Stadium
Sweden v England - FIFA World Cup - Quarter Final - Samara Stadium

Harry Maguire's main contribution to the game might have been his goal in the first half. The defender was brilliant at the back and was not allowing the Swedish striker to have any space to work with.

John Stones was rock-solid as well at the back and was on the toes of Marcus Berg. He made sure that the aerial threat was cut out completely and with that, there was nothing they could do after that.

Kyle Walker, Ashley Young and Kevin Tripper were not involved so much in the game but they too did not make a single mistake in the game. Walker did have a sloppy moment or two early on in the first half but there was nothing significant Sweden could do.

#1 England turn tables on Sweden

2018 FIFA World Cup Football Quarter Final England v Sweden Jul 7th
2018 FIFA World Cup Football Quarter Final England v Sweden Jul 7th

In every single game so far, Sweden have been making sure that they minimize the aerial threat of their opponents. They have ensured that there is not getting past them with long balls and crosses.

But today, England scored both their goals from crosses and nulled their main strength. They were brilliant for the first 25-28 minutes of the game but once Maguire scored, there was nothing they could do.

England were solid at the back and were clearing all the crosses Sweden were sending in. They had no 'Plan B' and were unable to break the England backline.

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Edited by Amit Mishra