England\u2019s appearance in a first World Cup semi-final since 1990 is an \u201cincredible feeling\u201d, says boss Gareth Southgate.<\/p>\n
Goals by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli sealed a 2-0 last-eight win over Sweden to leave them one game from the final.<\/p>\n
England now prepare for a momentous match in Moscow on Wednesday against Croatia, who beat Russia on penalties.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope everyone at home enjoys tonight because it\u2019s not often this happens,\u201d Southgate told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
England have not reached the final since winning the World Cup in 1966, while it is only the third time they have reached the last four.<\/p>\n
Maguire and Alli struck either side of the interval in Samara. Maguire broke the deadlock on the half-hour, flashing a header past Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen from Ashley Young\u2019s corner.<\/p>\n
England sealed victory when Alli headed in Jesse Lingard\u2019s lofted cross at the far post.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew it was going to be such a different game after having extra time and penalties against Colombia, with all the emotion and the energy,\u201d said Southgate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to withstand a lot of physical pressure but the resilience of the team was crucial.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew we would have the majority of the ball and it was a case of breaking them down because Sweden are a really well organised team.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years we have underestimated them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018We can create our own history\u2019
\nJordan Pickford played a key role in England\u2019s win after the Everton goalkeeper produced some fine saves including a superb stop to deny Marcus Berg.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t born the last time England reached a World Cup semi-final,\u201d said the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have always said we would take one game at a time and we can go on and create our own history.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew it was going to be difficult, we know what Sweden bring to the party and we managed it very well. After I made that first save from Berg, it set me up for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland fans are different class and we really enjoyed playing in that atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018We want to make the country proud\u2019
\nEngland captain Harry Kane did not add to his six goals at the tournament but is relishing a semi-final in Russia\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we were fantastic. We faced the long ball \u2013 different to what we have faced before \u2013 and we\u2019re buzzing with the result,\u201d said the Tottenham striker.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know there is a big game ahead with the semi-final but we are feeling good and we\u2019re confident.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just have to go again. We are enjoying it and we\u2019ve got keep doing what we are doing and make the country proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018That was for the fans\u2019
\nAlli, 22, became the second youngest England World Cup goalscorer after Michael Owen, who was 18 when he scored at France 1998.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great achievement for the team and we owe it to the fans,\u201d said the Tottenham midfielder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have been believing in us. It was a great performance from the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to score especially in occasions like this. I don\u2019t think it was my best performance but to get a goal is unbelievable and it\u2019s an amazing feeling to get to the semi-final.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
England\u2019s appearance in a first World Cup semi-final since 1990 is an \u201cincredible feeling\u201d, says boss Gareth Southgate. Goals by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli sealed a 2-0 last-eight win over Sweden to leave them one game from the final. England now prepare for a momentous match in Moscow on Wednesday against Croatia, who beat […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","post_format-post-format-image"],"yoast_head":"\n