England moves to the first semifinal of the World Cup since 1990

SAMARA, RUSSIA – England has achieved something that David Beckham's generation has never succeeded: She reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored a goal in a 2-0 win over Sweden. match against Croatia or the host nation of Russia for a place in the final.

England has advanced further than was widely expected. Not even the England team with stars like Beckham, Steven Gerrard and a young Wayne Rooney has never been this far in a major tournament.

England, world champion in 1966, reached the semi-finals in 1990. In 2014, the team I did not even get out of the group stage. But the performances of Gareth Southgate's young team in Russia are celebrated at home.

The surprising race is fueled by set-set goals, and there was another against Sweden when Maguire headed into a corner in the 30th minute.

Alli added the second goal by replacing Jesse Lingard. with a powerful header in the 59th, becoming – at age 22 – the second youngest scorer for England at a World Cup.

"We knew that set games would be the key," said Maguire. "And also that little ball that Jesse sent for Dele, it was great, we worked on it in practice."

It was a game too far for the Swedes, who went further in a World Cup. did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic – the star of the team for over a decade – being compact and hard to break. This helped them win a playoff series against Italy to qualify for the World Cup, leading a group containing Germany, then beating Switzerland in the round of 16.

They started solidly against England in a slow and slow A match that looked like a pre-season friendly match at times, only to be surpbaded by England's eighth goal of his 11 in Russia.

The standard of the crossing of England is particularly distinguished this tournament, and another brilliant delivery led to second goal

A song of "On our way, on our way, to Moscow, on our way "came from English supporters in a corner of the Samara Arena.

Although Sweden rallied in the last 30 minutes, two good saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, England held up for his first tournament shutout

STERLING'S STRUGGLES

English striker Raheem Sterling has not yet scored at the World Cup because of his unusual Kane position, and his finished Shing has dropped against Sweden.

Highlighted by Jordan Henderson's long defensive pbad late in the first half, Sterling tried to get past Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen but was stopped. Sterling recovered the ball but his shot was deflected.

Sterling's movement was very good, causing Sweden's slow defense problems.

SWEDISH TACTICS

Virtually since the coup de send, Sweden sent a long pbad to attacking Ola Toivonen and looked for a flick-on. It was a sign of what was coming – direct bullets, long shots, pressing – but that did not bother England.

The Swedish team snuggles after the match and coach Janne Andersson spoke to players who, like Sweden, had exceeded expectations

Sweden reached the semi-finals of the World Cup world in 1994 and finished third.