Tottenham Hotspur’s Nigerian-born midfielder, Bamidele Alli has admitted delight with his headed goal that helped England made it past the quarter final stage of the World Cup after they beat Sweden 2-0 in Samara at the ongoing 2018 World Cup on Saturday.
Harry Maguire gave the Three Lions the lead with a powerful header, before Alli sealed the win with another header as Gareth Southgate’s side made progress.
There were hardly any chance being created until the 19th minute, when Raheem Sterling played the ball through to Harry Kane on the edge of the box, he turned and shot but it was a fraction wide of the left post.
The next real piece of action would come in the 30th minute and it would see a goal being scored.
Ashley Young took a corner and Maguire rose highest near the penalty spot to plant a brilliant header into the left side of the goal, and England took the lead at this point.
Just before the break, the Three Lions would get a chance again as Sterling dribbled into the box, but Robin Olsen was quick enough to come off his line and stop him.
At the restart, Sweden had a chance as Marcus Berg rose above the opponent’s defence and headed a precise cross towards the right post.
His effort, however, was blocked by Jordan Pickford, who pulled off a stunning save, and the second half saw Sweden show signs of improvement to stop England from creating their chances.
Jesse Lingard handed Alli the simplest of tasks from close range after the cross evaded the keeper, and he made no mistake with his header into the middle of the goal.
But after 62 minutes, Sweden went close Pickford was forced into action to thwart Viktor Claesson.
He found himself some space after picking up a pass and unleashed a shot to the left post but couldn’t beat the keeper.
It was England’s turn to get a chance, as Maguire got to the ball from the resulting corner but blazed it well over the bar.
And as the game progressed in the 72nd minute, Pickford was forced into action to thwart Berg.
He found himself some space after picking up a pass and unleashed a shot towards the roof of the net but couldn’t beat the keeper.
And in the end, it would see England progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup and will now play the winner between Croatia and Russia.
