Sweden warn England they are in for a battle: 'Historically, the English seem to have been a good fit for us'
Sweden have warned they will be no World Cup quarter-final pushovers and are ready to extend their impressive record against England.
Back in the World Cup for the first time since 2006, Sweden have reached the last eight for the first time in 24 years. And they historically enjoy playing England, who have won just one of the last eight meetings between the two countries.
That single success came at Euro 2012, when England won 3-2. But at World Cups, the teams have met twice with both games ending in a draw - during the 2002 and 2006 tournaments.
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“Someone said something about 99 times out of 100 England would beat us,” said Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist. “Well, it’s fun for England to have that sort of confidence. Let’s play the game and see how things go.
“England are a very good side. They’ve changed the way they play, before they were more direct and played the long ball, now they are more skillful, they have very quick players. But we know Sweden usually play well against England. We have had good results against them, so to me it doesn’t really matter.”
Celtic’s Mikael Lustig added: “Historically, England seem to have been a good fit for us. This tournament has shown again and again that there’s an upset waiting to happen. We don’t feel as if we’re done yet.”
Despite Sweden’s warnings and a focus within Gareth Southgate’s squad not to look past the next game, England defender Harry Maguire has conceded that the way the draw has opened up has presented him and his team-mates with a big opportunity in Russia.
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“Definitely,” he said: “We have won a knockout game and we are into the quarter-finals. It’s not happened recently, so obviously it’s a good chance. The pressure might come more, but we are all ready for it. We are all young and we are all ready for it.”
On Sweden’s threat, he added: “I saw a bit of the game against Switzerland and they are really organised and are a really good side.
“They sat a bit deep and they might do the same against us. They look to play on the counter-attack and they have been really effective at it in this World Cup. It will be a tough game, one we want to prepare well for and we will be really confident going into it.”
