World Cup 2018: Sweden 0-2 England - 5 Talking Points

#1 Could it be going home?

Gareth Southgate's England have given the country enough reasons to be proud of them

England fans already think so. Opposition fans dread the very notion of those three much-famed words, now. But England are in a World Cup semifinal. You have got to be putting them down as serious contenders to win the entire damn thing now, don't you?

There is no question that Southgate will not be thinking of all that, at this point. He has reiterated throughout the course of the tournament that his sole focus has been on the next game alone, but it is going to be difficult to do that now, with the prize actually so close.

England will do well to not be over-awed by any occasion, and just continue playing the way they have. Yes, they haven't scored a lot from open play. Yes, they have the much easier side of the draw. Yes, their defence hasn't been hugely tested. But they know their strengths.

They stay dogged, they stay together, and they're strong on set-pieces, which has been a sort of an Achilles heel for a few teams at this tournament.

Football may or may not be coming home for England this summer, but one thing's for sure. Gareth Southgate and his young squad have given England a reason to be proud of their men's national team, after a very very long time.

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