England beat Sweden to reach first World Cup semi-final in 28 years

England is through to their first World Cup semi-final since 1990 after beating Sweden 2-0 on another wonderful day for Gareth Southgate and his team in Russia.

This dream summer for England fans just carries on getting better, with goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli in Samara – not to mention some fine saves from Jordan Pickford – sending them into a last-four match in Moscow on Wednesday night.

England was very good value for their win, which delighted the nation, with another huge television audience expected to have tuned in for the match.

Southgate named the same team that saw off Colombia on penalties in the last 16.

It was a nervous start to the match, with both teams so clearly aware of the great prize at stake.

Viktor Claesson fired a shot from 25 yards that flew well over the crossbar, but the first big chance of the game came for England after 18 minutes.

A fine run from Raheem Sterling to the edge of the Sweden penalty area set up Harry Kane, who drove a shot narrowly wide of the post.

Then came the breakthrough after half an hour, and it was the simplest of affairs. Ashley Young whipped in a delightful corner, and Leicester’s Maguire thumped a header low into the net.

They toiled almost near the hour-mark to double the lead.

Jesse Lingard’s fine pinpoint cross to the back post was headed into the net with great aplomb by Alli.

England will face the winner between Croatia and Russia on Wednesday.