World Cup 2018 Quarter-Finals Preview: Team-By-Team Guide

England

Harry Kane and England celebrate their penalty shootout victory against Columbia

Pre-Tournament

For the first time since 1990, there was very cautious optimism surrounding the England squad as they took off for the World Cup in Russia. Years of apathy and pessimism were replaced with excitement as Gareth Southgate announced a young, fresh squad of English players eager to represent their country on the biggest stage of all. A cruise through qualification is nothing new for England, but with players such as Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad, expectations for England were at a recent all-time high.

The Story So Far

A straightforward group awaited England with games against Tunisia and Panama representing an excellent opportunity to seal qualification to the knockout rounds before a showdown with Belgium. A hard-fought 2-1 opening win over Tunisia was followed by a 6-1 drubbing of Panama to seal a place in the next round. The final game against Belgium saw England rest most of their starting 11 and fall victim to a wonderful Adnan Januzaj goal. This left them second in their group, but also placed them into the 'easier' side of the draw for the knockout stages.

The prize for finishing second was a meeting with Columbia who has impressed during the group stages to top their group at the death. England took the lead with a Harry Kane penalty, bringing him to 5 for the tournament so far, but conceded deep into stoppage time to a Yerry Mina header. Extra time couldn't produce a winner and the tie went to a penalty shootout with England emerging as winners, winning a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time in their history.

What's Next

England will fancy their chances against Sweden in the Quarter-Finals but will need to be wary of the organization and discipline from the Swedes. Having conceded a goal in every game so far this tournament, England will need to work hard on their defensive work and rely on the likes of Sterling and Kane to break down the Swedish rearguard. They will also be wary of the history between the two sides, with England only beating the Swedes twice in their last 10 fixtures and having never beaten them in a World Cup tie, drawing twice in 2002 and 2006.