DUNN

to defend and attack with. Maguire’s threat from attacking set-pieces and his heading dominance in defence are two more symbols of why this England team are one game away from a World Cup final. For all Southgate’s talk of freeflowing, possession, play-from-the-back football, they are doing the basics very well. That Maguire has joined John Stones as a scoring centreback at this World Cup is testament to the squad’s set-piece planning. Mind you, Maguire’s effort was testament to the individual determination that courses through these players. They are a driven bunch, I can tell you.

For several periods of this match, they were nowhere near their best and it was a measure of England’s sloppiness that Jordan Pickford had to pull off three fine saves.

Not quite sure he was worthy of the man-of-the-match award, but his interventions to, first, preserve England’s lead and, then, to maintain a two-goal margin, were crucial.

His rivals for the individual accolade were a dynamic Jordan Henderson, an ever-improving Kieran Trippier and, for me, Raheem Sterling. Once again, he ranked the worst on the BBC website’s player-rater (where TV watchers mark the players), but was the single player who set about rattling the Swedes. He will be vital in the semi-final. As will Maguire and the entire band of ordinary brothers. They looked leggy, a little fatigued at the end, particularly Harry Kane. But the same will go for their opponents and this is an England team that has mental spirit in abundance. Not only that, on what has to be said has been almost a red carpet of a route to the semi-finals, they have yet to lose a squad member to injury. On top of their excellence, allied with their hard work, tagged with their character, they have been dealt a plum hand. There is no denying that. To say this has been, and is, a once-in-a-lifetime chance for this England team is no exaggeration. And if you would fancy anyone to grab it, it is Maguire. The only place that magnificent head is not heading is home. Moscow, here it comes. THE FA could open Wembley to screen the World Cup Final if England make it past the semi-finals. Fans would not be able to use the pitch as it’s been re-laid, but the stands could still be used.