28 years after their last semifinal, England joined the last four of the World Cup 2018 after its logical victory against Sweden 2-0, this Saturday 7th July in Russia.
England qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup 2018, beating Sweden 2-0 , thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli on Saturday in Samara.
Tradition or modernity? Two good old ball moves very “kick and rush” Harry Maguire (30th) and Del Alli (59th) sent the Three Lions in the last four, to challenge Russia or Croatia. But these goals reward the willingness to play worked by Gareth Southgate, and punish Swedish austerity.
The Jordan Pickford Wall
The Vikings had reached the quarterfinal territory thanks to their floating fortress, but this time they have badly defended against the English.
Their course remains worthy, after twelve years of absence in World Cup. They eliminated the Netherlands and Italy on the road, then Germany in pools and Switzerland in the last 16 (1-0). But they missed the opportunity to enter for the fifth time in the last four, after 1938, 1950, 1958 (finalists) and 1994.
Perhaps the austere Janne Andersson would have dared a little more. He launched his men to the assault only 2-0. But the Yellows stumbled on Jordan Pickford.
Brilliant twice before Marcus Berg, a cat diving (47th) and tap the “Gigi” Buffon (72th), before leaping Victor Claesson (62th), the only Swede at the height of such a game, Pickford is spoiling the fun of joke fans on English goalkeepers.
🏆 #ClubRussia 🇷🇺
⚽ Kane : “On a très bien joué aujourd’hui”#SWEENG pic.twitter.com/3yLwORd2K0— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) July 7, 2018
The last semi-final of the “Three Lions” in World Cup went back to 1990 . England will face the winner of Russia-Croatia, disputed in the evening.
He had already ended the previous round to the English curse on penalties, with a first win in four attempts in the World Cup against Colombia (1-1, 4-3).
Pickford has even taken the beast’s hair, rotting his defense when it left opportunities to the Scandinavians and facing Berg after a contact a little dry (81st ).
Harry Kane discret
On the other hand the top scorer of the tournament, Harry Kane (6 goals), remained discreet. For the first time in Russia he did not score (he “jumped” the match against Belgium), settling for a shot near the post (19).
His partner at the front, Raheem Sterling, hit hard, but also ruined. On a long ball Jordan Henderson, the protected Guardiola lost its face-to-face with Robin Olsen, who deflected the ball of the fingertip, then dithered to the second flask and fired over (45th).
This is the other Harry, Maguire, who took over the half-hour game on the first shot of the game. He unlocked a soporific game by snapping a corner of Ashley Young in the back of the net. Emil Forsberg, the Swedish creator, very disappointed Saturday, was overwhelmed by the energetic impulse of the Leicester defender.
Sweden was forced to move to Plan B, which had, as planned by Gareth Southgate, left possession to the English. She finally created their first chance after the break, the head of Berg diverted by Pickford (47th).
The Three Lions escaped at the hour of play on a Dele Alli’s header, served in depth by Jesse Lingard. This first world goal will be good for the Tottenham player, the only criticized after Colombia.
All is well, Your Majesty, England will play its third World Cup semifinal after 1966 (winner) and 1990. The Russian revolution fomented by Gareth Southgate is still running.
The other semi-final is already known, it’s France-Belgium . The final is scheduled for July 15 in Moscow.
