World Cup 2018: 5 memorable matches between England and Sweden

#3: England 1-1 Sweden – World Cup 2002

When Swedish native Sven-Goran Eriksson was announced as England’s new manager to take the Three Lions into the 2002 World Cup, it always seemed fated that they’d end up meeting Sweden somewhere along the way. Unlike this year’s tournament though, the two sides were drawn in the same group rather than facing off in the knockout stages – alongside Argentina and Nigeria in what was christened the ‘Group of Death’.

England and Sweden faced off in what was the first game of the tournament for both sides, and it was Sven’s men who struck first – Sol Campbell heading home powerfully from a David Beckham corner midway through the first half. But following the goal England weren’t able to create many more chances – only getting four shots on target throughout the match – and when Southampton’s Anders Svensson was introduced early in the second half, Sweden began to boss the possession.

An equaliser felt inevitable and sure enough, when Danny Mills failed to clear a long pass correctly, the ball fell to midfielder Niclas Alexandersson, whose shot from the edge of the box flew past David Seaman and into the net. From there Sweden firmly took control of the game and it was only Seaman who kept England in the game, saving well twice from Teddy Lucic.

The game eventually ended in a draw, but although it was an unconvincing performance from England, they went on to perform marvelously in their next game, beating Argentina. Sweden’s win over Nigeria meanwhile left both sides in a great position to qualify, and both picked up draws in their final games – putting them into the knockout stages with Argentina missing out.