Liverpool and Manchester United target Harry Maguire was the hero yesterday as England reached their first World Cup semi-finals in 28 years.
The Leicester City centre-back, who was making just his tenth appearance for the Three Lions, powered home a header from Kieran Trippier’s corner on the half-hour mark to open the scoring versus Sweden.
Dele Alli then made it 2-0 for Gareth Southgate’s side after 58 minutes, guiding home a header of his own following a terrific whipped ball across the box from Jesse Lingard.
The win for England means they will now take on Croatia next Wednesday in their first semi-final appearance at a World Cup in 1990.
Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford – 8.5
Pulled off world-class saves in both halves to deny Sweden hitman Marcus Berg and keep England in front.
Kieran Trippier – 8.5
Do not be surprised if one of the European big boys (sorry Spurs) come calling for Mr. Trippier after his displays in Russia. Consistently brilliant.
Kyle Walker – 7
Best game of the tournament so far for the newly positioned centre-back.
Harry Maguire – 9
Man of the Match. Scored England’s opener and commanded the centre of defence like a man possessed. Hard to see an England side without him at the heart of it now for years to come.
Sliding into the Semi Finals like… 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/RF3XbMT9K4
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) July 7, 2018
John Stones – 6.5
Solid, but occasionally sloppy in possession, which is unlike the Manchester City star.
Ashley Young – 7
Great work rate as usual and seemed happier to use his left foot to deliver into the box than in previous games.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Neat in possession and dictated the tempo of the game brilliantly from in front of the back three. Played some great passes in-behind for Raheem Sterling.
Dele Alli – 6
Too often gave the ball away cheaply in the first half, but grew into the game in the second and scored England’s second with a fine header.
Jesse Lingard – 7
Provided a brilliant assist for the second and ran his socks off for 90 minutes.
Harry Kane – 7
Bullied the Sweden defence and held the ball up brilliantly as he did against Colombia too. Would have been nice to see him come deep less often however and spend a little more time nearer the goal where he is of course so deadly.
Raheem Sterling – 7.5
Frustratingly poor in front of goal again, BUT (and a big but), his contribution to the team as a whole should not go un-noticed. Caused all sorts of problems for the Swedish defence throughout, stretching them throughout with smart runs in-behind and out wide.
Substitutes
Fabian Delph (for Alli, 77) – 6
Creative in the middle but spurned two great chances late on due to lack of communication.
Eric Dier (for Henderson, 85) – N/A
Marcus Rashford (for Sterling, 90+1) – N/A
