They’re starting to believe now.
Perennial underachievers at the FIFA World Cup, England fans are used to their team disappointing them. Entering this year’s tournament with a young team, not much was expected.
But a favourable draw, coupled with some outstanding play sees them advancing into the semi-final at the World Cup for the first time since 1990, after a 2-0 win against Sweden.
This is what is means to England right now!! 🏴🏴🏴⚽️⚽️#London #WorldCup #ENGSWE pic.twitter.com/oRfuCyMand
— Dawn Evans (@dawnie173) July 7, 2018
It’s just the second time they’ve advanced to the semi-finals since their lone World Cup triumph in 1966.
England can feel it
Breathe this moment in, #ENG fans… You’re on your way to a #WorldCup semifinal! pic.twitter.com/tZUV6UjkCq
— Laure James, FIFA (@FIFAWorldCupENG) July 7, 2018
With 57% of possession and more attempts at goal (12-7), England was the better team in this one.
Harry Maguire’s thundering header gave the Three Lions a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute, and Dele Alli doubled it in minute 59.
MAGUIRE SCORES FOR #ENG!!!
The Three Lions lead #SWE 1-0 in the 1st half #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/f1h9dUxGyd
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
DELE DELIVERS!#ENG scores to take a 2-0 lead over #SWE! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/nPgXpZQLgF
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
After a nail-biter against Colombia in their last match, this one was relatively comfortable for England. Of course, it could have gone very sour if not for the outstanding play of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was named Man of the Match.
This diving save kept the match 1-0 early in the second half:
PICKFORD WITH THE STOP!#SWE tests #ENG's net, but Pickford comes up with the save to keep it 1-0 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/o9jybe9M88
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
And this one in the 62nd minute ensured there would be no comeback for the Swedes:
PICKFORD SAVES #ENG AGAIN!
The young keeper makes another diving save to keep the game at 2-0 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/k3rhM1YtBR
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
Not only will England play in the semi-final, but they should be favoured to win it. Their opponent will be the winner of last remaining quarter-final between Russia and Croatia.
Russia’s miracle run comes to an end
Against all odds, the 70th-ranked country in the FIFA rankings found themselves in a penalty shootout with a chance to advance to the semi-finals at the World Cup. Russia had their chance, despite being outplayed by Croatia, after the teams traded goals in extra time.
Croatia won the match 2-2 (4-3), and will play England in the semi-finals.
Russia opened the scoring with a thundering strike by Denis Cheryshev in the 31st minute.
#RUS SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denis Cheryshev keeps #RUS' dream run going with a BEAUTIFUL shot from outside the box! Russia leads 1-0 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YGCeVyGmBX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
Croatia answered back soon after, courtesy of Andrej Kramaric.
TIE GAME!
Kramaric evens the score for #CRO with a swift header….1-1! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GI7EI3AtFc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
A relatively uneventful match got interesting in the 88th minute, when Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic went down with an apparent injury.
Oh nooooo! Croatia goalie Danijel Subašić went down.#CRO has no subs left and we're TIED in stoppage time!
He's going to try and play it out. 😱#WorldCup #RUSCRO pic.twitter.com/x1QOclAkDn
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 7, 2018
He managed to stay in the match, though he looked hobbled at times.
Domagoj Vida looked to give Croatia the winner…
#CRO SCORES IN EXTRA-TIME!!!!!!
Vida slots a header past Akinfeev, Croatia now leads 2-1! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YdNiCq1yol
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
…until Mario Fernandes levelled the match in the 115th minute.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!#RUS TIES THE MATCH LATE IN EXTRA-TIME!!!!!#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/G3N5eAecJt
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
Here’s the winning goal in the shootout:
"RUSSIA DISSOLVES INTO TEARS!"
The final kick that eliminated #RUS from the #WorldCup & sent #CRO to the Semifinal… pic.twitter.com/InpzyOPtmQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 7, 2018
Semi-finals
An all-European semi-final is set. France and Belgium play first, on Tuesday. England and Croatia are set for Wednesday.
- Tuesday, July 10 (11 am PT / 2 pm ET): France vs Belgium
- Wednesday, July 11 (11 am PT / 2 pm ET): England vs Croatia