England dreams of World Cup glory

MOSCOW: England is looking forward to their first World Cup semifinal since 1990 as Russian fans thanked their disappointed players after their fairytale World Cup run was halted by Croatia.

Gareth Southgate’s young team swept Sweden aside 2- 0 on Saturday, sparking mass celebrations in England, where at least 20 million people watched the match on TV.

They will face C roatia, which had to endure a strength- sapping penalty shootout for the second consecutive match, in front of 80,000 people in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.

But first Roberto Martinez’s exciting Belgian side will attempt to reach their first ever World Cup final when they play favourites France in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

England is basking in the team’s run to the last four of the World Cup as fans star t to believe that they c an lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.

“Southgreat” trumpeted the Sun on Sunday. “Cry God for Harry, England and St George!” said the Sunday Telegraph.

Goals from Leicester defender Harry Maguire and Tottenham’s Dele Alli sealed victory against Sweden in Samara while man- of- the- match Jordan Pickford made three outstanding saves.

“England’s players have guaranteed they will return from the World Cup as heroes. Now they can dream of a grander ambition. Can they come home as legends?” asked former England defender Jamie Carragher in a column for the Sunday Telegraph.