Gustav Svensson and Sweden will look to continue their improbable run in the 2018 FIFA World Cup against England in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 7 a.m. PT at Samara Arena in Samara.
The Swedes took down Switzerland 1-0 in the Round of 16 on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg to clinch their first quarterfinal berth at a World Cup since 1994. Svensson got his first World Cup start replacing the suspended Sebastian Larsson, and played the full 90 minutes in the shutout win. Emil Forsberg’s 66th-minute goal was the difference for the Blågult.
Gustav Svensson (13) celebrates with teammates after Emil Forsberg's goal / REUTERS
Sweden are in a very favorable side of the bracket, with England and the winner of Croatia and Russia the only teams standing in the way of a trip to the final in Moscow. The Three Lions defeated Colombia 1-1 (4-3 on penalties) in the Round of 16 earlier this week.
England sport a menacing attacking corp lead by Tottenham star Harry Kane, who leads the Golden Boot race with six goals in just four matches. Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford are all potent up front as well, but the Swedes boast one of the most compact and organized defensive units in the tournament. The two teams have met 23 times, with an even 7-7-9 record. The last time they faced off was on Nov. 14, 2012, a match in which Zlatan Ibrahimovic unleashed this famous bicycle kick.
