2018 World Cup: Best chance for England to reach the semi-finals since 1990

English players can only rejoice at the historic victory over Colombia that propelled them into the quarterback. finals of the World Cup.

Gareth Southgate's team has stoked the enthusiasm of the English fans in preparing to face Sweden after their first playoff victory at a major tournament since 2006, and only their second shot on goal in eight attempts

. Dust has fallen on a thunderous night in Moscow, England has to chart its next stage in this unpredictable and spectacular World Cup.

England returns to earth

The English manager Southgate and his team were back to their business. Zelenogorsk trains Wednesday after this atmospheric night

And if a team from England who has impressed by his modesty and concentration since his arrival in Russia will not let himself be swept away by the victory that l & # 39; 39, led to the last eight of the World Cup, Southgate will know that all eyes are on Sweden this Saturday.

England has its best chance of reaching the most prestigious occasion of this sport since the despair of Los Angeles. In 1965, the Swedish record confirms that complacency will be madness, but there is also no escape that this group of English players – who survived the greenhouse Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Colombian fans have invaded the arena in a surge of noises and fury – it has been presented to them what could be only a unique opportunity in their lives.

The next 10 days in Russia could be a case of now or never.

The draw, make no mistake, fell nicely for England and At present, only Sweden, Croatia or organizing Russia – sharply on a wave of national fervor after being sacked before the tournament – stand between them and their first World Cup final since 1966.

England would not necessarily be the favorite feat, but their name rubs shoulders with three teams that & # 39; They will really feel able to beat. And the added intrigue comes from the fact that all these teams will feel the same.

And while Southgate's mantra will continue to be "one game at a time," he will know that the nation is now dreaming.

Southgate and his trusted backroom team will have been sifting through the physical and mental tides of this tiring night in Moscow, where even seasoned observers rubbed shoulders with the most strained opportunities in England.

It was a gloriously liberated tension while Eric Dier gave the win to England after being agonized added time at the end of the second half.

Southgate suggested that there were a lot of blows when he compared the locker room of England to a scene from the famous series of US military hospital MASH.

He will have players with a lot of bumps and bruises. is a group of players who know that only two games are held between England and the ultimate football game

L & # England still has some improvements

Southgate But he will know that his team still has a lot to gain despite the last eight wins.

England has not yet reached its peak in Russia. some might find playfulness, but one that is supported by the evidence of the four games that they played.

Tunisia was stubborn but limited and England only won in injury time. Panama was terrible. Belgium confronted the ghost team of England – and there were still times when they drifted into an attractive and argumentative meeting with Colombia.

Harry Kane is the top scorer of the World Cup with six goals, but once again his account. The captain of England has been outstanding at this World Cup but he will be even better with a more regular service.

Dele Alli struggled and appeared to run out of fitness in Moscow. It is a class act that will give England what could be an extra dimension and a vital threat it comes in.

And the Sterling Raheem enigma continues. No one should ever question his attitude, his effort, his application, and his natural gifts, but that just does not happen to him in the attack phases, his sequence now reading 23 goalsless matches for the first time. England.

Faith in Sterling and which is unlikely to change now. Indeed, he even wondered why people were discussing his position in the England team before the match against Colombia in 16 games.

Southgate will know that if these two undeniably talented players can turn the page on the odds of turning the engine on – England will be far more menacing than she has been up to here. .

Southgate's key men come up

The selection is designed exactly to match the requirements of the system – based around of a defense of three men and progressive wingers – he settled more than 12 months ago.

And, aside from his obvious joy of the English lead in the quarter end of the match, Southgate will be very pleased with the performance of his key players in Moscow

Southgate has chosen Jordan Pickford from his team. Everton as goalkeeper, the 24-year-old having youth, agility and ability on his side – as well as tremendous confidence with the ball at his feet, a key part of the game plan of the manager.

Pickford delivered superbly at Spartak stadium, with a truly world class backup of Mateus Uribe who was pickford criticized after posting it against Belgium – including suggestions from Belgium and Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois that he was too small – but he was perhaps rusty nerdy after being practically unemployed against Tunisia and Panama. Harry Maguire is the kind of central defender on which Southgate counts – powerful and dangerous to set kicks, but with the will to put the ball out of the defense as now requires the approach of the game. ;England. [19659023LordofMoscow:HowEnglandandColombiahavealmostfinishedwet

Maguire played his best game in England in Moscow at a party that was a temper test for each player. He can now have great confidence in his ability to flourish and feel at home in the World Cup environment.

Kane is the first player in England to score six consecutive appearances since Tommy. Lawton in 1939. And he will try desperately to make seven in search of the World Cup and the Golden Boot that he was targeting even before England's first match.

Each team needs its main shooter to participate in a World Cup. England has this and more in Kane – a reliable scorer, a mature leader and a man with the coolest temperament, as proven by his penalties in open play and shootout.

All good news for Southgate England has to beware of cool Swedish

England is now facing a familiar opponent in Sweden – a team that some might have felt without a trace at this World Cup but whose recent record carries signs of a rift. alarm and requires total respect. The adept describes this team as humble, hardworking, superbly organized under the clever coach Janne Andersson and completely united as the charismatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic offers her observations from the sidelines.

Sweden is defensive and usually operates a 4-4-2 formation. Andreas Granqvist is their captain and central defender alongside Victor Lindelof, who denied his fights at Manchester United with his performances in Russia, demonstrating why Jose Mourinho was so eager to acquire him.

They also have the creativity of Emil Forsberg, but The base camp for Sweden is a well-honed and disciplined approach that England will struggle to bring down.

They have the confidence to eliminate the Netherlands in qualifying and beat Italy in the play-off to reach Russia. It's a team without fear of playing the big names of international football.

Swedish weakness is a lack of punch in attack, where Ola Toivonen, 32, is not even a regular at his Toulouse club. Markus Berg, who plays his football in the United Arab Emirates, is erratic

As always, however, the strength of Sweden is the collective team and, under Andersson, will present to England a serious challenge to Samara.