World Cup quarter-finals results: England beats Sweden 2-0, qualifies for the semi-finals

A Dele Alli header in the 59th minute has given England a 2-0 victory over Sweden and took his team to advance to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990.

England had a 1-0 lead at halftime in the quarterfinal match after Harry Maguire's header from a corner kick in the 30th bounced before it beat Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olson. It was Maguire's first international goal, and England's 10th of the tournament.

Centre-back Maguire connected with an Ashley Young corner to score his first international goal and reward England for their more adventurous approach in a largely cautious first half.


Maguire outmaneuvered Emil Forsberg to nod Ashley Young's kick down between goalkeeper Robin Olson and Ola Toivonen, who was guarding the post. It's Maguire's first international goal in his 10th match for England.

For the second goal, Jesse Lingard served up the ball to an unmarked Alli, who nodded in from close range. It was England's 11th goal in Russia, equaling the national record of 11 goals scored on the run to the World Cup title in 1966.

Sweden last made it to the semifinals in 1994. Sweden got its best chance two minutes into the second half on Marcus Berg's header, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford pushed it out of harm's way.

It's the only time Sweden has trailed in the tournament other than the dying moments of its 2-1 stoppage-time loss to Germany.

England will face Russia or Croatia in the semifinals.