Euphoria unchained as England breeze into semi-finals

At the final whistle, Three Lions played and then, as a jubilant Gareth Southgate fans, there were The Beatles and All You Need is Love . And there is so much to love about this new England.

From Southgate to Harry Kane and throughout the world with their own personal stories and their superbly coached approach and their never ending teamwork and desire to play for England and do so the brethren.

Like brothers, Kane said, and the band of brothers are heading for Moscow for at least one of the world and the capital in the capital on July 15.

The goals were scored by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli were both well-worked on thumping headers and those two wonderful stories to tell. But they were not alone in standing tall.

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There was John Stones, now a leader in defense, there was Jordan Henderson, controlling midfield and there was Raheem Sterling who may have missed a golden chance but who stretches the Swedes when they are close to home. And there was Kieran Trippier who was a kind of English Cafu with a David Beckham

It was never going to be a classic. But it was a classic. The classic is what it meant and what it means the length and breadth of the world and the sense of excitement can be felt.

And a sense of fun both on and off the pitch. As the clock ticked down in England, they were considered to be as many as they were in the river Volga as they were consoled by the Swedes and their own relentless supporters.

The Victory of the Penalty in the Last 16.

That, in itself, was another sign of progress. Hull City, Krasnador and Al Ain in the United States but they beat France in the United States but they beat France in the United States, they defeated Italy in the play-off and they knocked out the group stages. That record speaks for itself.

So they were tough opponents and set out exactly what meant to kick-off when they lined up their players on the right side of the pitch. It was like a rugby union match and the ball was launched in that direction with Sweden trying to slow down, sit deep and draw any pace they could out of England's approach

In a goalless opening half-hour it was hard work. England seemed nervous but finally enjoyed the familiarity of a routine – the eighth set-piece in which they have scored at the World Cup. It was a rare moment when they were quickened by the opportunity

Ashley Young swung the corner and the "love train" – of players lining up behind each other for Maguire who's proven too strong for his marker, Emil Forsberg. A meaty header with the help of a Swedish defender covering the post.

Maguire had a first goal and how they needed that.

Before half-time Picked up by Henderson with a long ball forward which was nimbly taken down by Goalkeeper Robin Olsen

Kane he decided to kill him shoot with the ball deflected over by Andreas Granqvist

The fear of England would pay the price Pickford made the first of his hat-trick of the saves as Sweden finally met when Marcus Berg put a cross, above Young, and the goalkeeper

It was so important. Soon after and Trippier checked and played the ball inside to Jesse Lingard who crossed deep.

Alli, whose place had been under threat, drifted away from Emil Krafth and planted to a firm header over the hands of Olsen.

Game over ? Not quite. One of the best picks in the world of Victor Pickwick excelled again with another one-handed save to deny Viktor Claesson (19659002) Even then Henderson threw himself to the block and finally Pickford tipped over a powerful rising shot on the turn of the Berg to gain his first clean sheet and the first for England in a quarter-final World Cup. Another small record.