World Cup 2018: 5 memorable matches between England and Sweden

#4: England 2-2 Sweden – World Cup 2006

England and Sweden were once again drawn into the same group in the 2006 World Cup, although there wasn’t as much furore around this game as there had been in the 2002 tournament – the novelty of Eriksson as England manager had worn off by that stage and the group wasn’t nearly as tough for either side, containing two weaker teams in the form of Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

This time the game was the final match of the group stage for the teams, and it was Sweden coming in with their backs to the wall as they needed to gain at least a point to qualify, while England were already safely through to the knockout stage after winning their previous two games. Unlike 2018’s tournament though, England didn’t make multiple changes to their side – instead reintroducing the injured Wayne Rooney to the starting line-up and only leaving out Steven Gerrard.

Despite losing Michael Owen through an injury after just one minute, England started the brighter side and opened the scoring when Joe Cole caught a clearance on his chest and then hit a wonder volley from 35 yards that flew into the top corner. It was one of the best goals of the entire tournament and arguably England’s highest point in the competition.

England pushed for a second goal but couldn’t get it before half-time, and five minutes into the second-half they were shell-shocked by an equaliser, Marcus Allback heading a corner home after some sloppy marking. The Three Lions then thought they’d won the game when substitute Gerrard headed in on 85 minutes, only for some poor defending to catch up with them as Henrik Larsson bundled in an injury-time equaliser.

A draw was probably the fairest result in the end and once again, both sides advanced into the knockout phase.