ENGLAND progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup for only the third time in their history after a surprisingly comfortable win over Sweden in Samara yesterday.

After a nervous beginning, powerful headed goals either side of half-time from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli secured England their fourth victory of this tournament, something no other men’s senior team has achieved since 1966. 

With an all-European semi-final line-up lacking the usual World Cup heavyweights from Argentina, Brazil and Germany, they will never have a better chance of matching that solitary international success with the team who travelled with the least pre-tournament expectations.