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DELE ALLI claims he’s at home on the biggest stages in the game – and he’s about to perform on at least one of them.

After all, they do not come much bigger than the semi-final of the World Cup.

And Alli’s header clinched England’s place in the last four after Harry Maguire’s first international goal had put them ahead.

After that, there’s the biggest game in football – the World Cup final a week today.

But for now, let’s just celebrate being in Wednesday’s semi in Moscow.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate had to decide whether to stick with

Alli yesterday ahead of his Spurs team-mate Eric Dier.

Southgate went for Alli’s greater attacking threat despite the fact he has been troubled by a thigh injury in Russia.

And he was rewarded with the sort of goal he expects the midfielder to score – breaking into the box to get on the end of crosses.

Not surprisingly, there was a big hug for Alli from his international boss when he was replaced by Fabian Delph 13 minutes from time.

By then, Alli had secured the Three Lions’ first World Cup semi since 1990.

Samara was the place where Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union’s World War Two leader, had a bunker built in case he needed to take refuge there.

But it was more a case of Sweden being in a hole – rather than a bunker – when England took the lead in the 30th minute.

Again, the threat from set-pieces was decisive as Maguire powered home a header from Ashley Young’s left-wing corner.

Earlier, both sides made a tentative start in the humid conditions, which were a factor in Southgate’s men failing to play with their usual high tempo from the off.

Sweden produced the first shot of the match and while winger Viktor Claesson’s attempt was well hit, it was always going to be too high.

Predictably, England’s first shot came from Harry Kane, but his low right-foot effort in the 19th minute flashed inches wide.

England, though, gradually gained the upper hand and were rewarded with that first-ever international goal for Leicester centre-back Maguire.

And they should have been firmly in charge before the half-time whistle.

Raheem Sterling’s embarrassment at missing a clear chance a minute from the break was spared by a late flag for offside.

But just a minute later, the Manchester City forward had a real chance when he found himself in a one-on-one situation with keeper Robin Olsen.

Sterling tried to trick his way round the FC Copenhagen No.1 who got a hand to the ball to send him wide. And when the former Liverpool man did eventually get in a shot, it was diverted for a corner by Swedish strongman Andreas Granqvist.

Sweden, however, made a positive start to the second half and looked to have equalised within two minutes of the restart.

Ludwig Augustinsson produced a deep cross to the far post where Marcus Berg climbed well to get in a great header.

The ball looked to be heading inside the post until England keeper Jordan Pickford reacted brilliantly to parry the ball to safety.

The Everton star had to make another vital save in the 62nd minute when he kept out Claesson’s effort.

But by then, the

Three Lions were two-up through

Alli’s fine header three minutes earlier.

Sterling sent over the cross from the right and Alli made no mistake at the far post. Maguire then had a fine chance to grab his second goal but the defender blazed over wildly from a good position. The outstanding Pickford then tipped over a Berg effort to clinch his – and England’s – first clean sheet of this incredible, memorable tournament. What they’d give for two more.