Sweden vs England - Are England over-reliant on set-pieces at the 2018 World Cup?

Not only have England now won a knockout game at a major tournament for the first time since 2006, but by eliminating Colombia on penalties, the Three Lions have won a shoot-out for the first time in their World Cup history. It looked like curtains for Gareth Southgate’s men after they conceded a dramatic injury-time equaliser against Colombia to force extra-time. As has so often been the case in the past, a set-back for England usually snowballs into a mental collapse. England never really recovered in extra-time, but did show a new-found edge and resilience to overcome adversity.

After overcoming the mental hurdle of penalties, England must now banish some demons from their previous encounters with Sweden. England have only won one of their last eight competitive matches with Sweden but know victory over their European rivals on Saturday will put them into a World Cup semi-final for the first time in 28 years.

England have been a breath of fresh air this summer and are playing with a verve and fearlessness that has engulfed previous England teams at major tournaments. Southgate deserves a lot of credit for repairing the relationship between players and supporters, but most importantly for getting the team on the right track on the pitch. England’s only defeat at this summer’s World Cup came against Belgium in their final group game when they had already secured qualification, but Southgate is aware there is still work to be done.

Despite being the tournament’s top scorer, it’s fair to say captain Harry Kane hasn’t truly hit top form for England this summer. Half of his goals have been penalties and another was a wicked deflection off his boot. His other two goals were scored from no more than a combined five yards, although one header required an immense amount of skill.

Kane has been forced to play a different role for England this summer, simply due to the fact Southgate’s side have struggled to create anything meaningful in open play, aside from the first 30 minutes of their opening group game. The 24-year-old was excellent in the second half of England’s 1-1 draw with Colombia in the last-16, carrying the ball forward and drawing fouls but the supply line simply hasn’t been there enough for Kane to really trouble opposition defenders.

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This is illustrated by the fact Kane has only had nine shots at the World Cup, the same amount as Spain centre-back Gerard Pique. England have been uncharacteristically efficient in front of goal. In fact, only hosts Russia (22.9%) have converted a great proportion of their chances than England (16.1%). That puts England in good shape as clear-cut chances are likely to be harder to come by as the opposition gets better deeper into the tournament, but it also increases the pressure on those whom the chances fall to.

Again, only Russia (21) have created fewer goalscoring opportunities from open play than England (25) and Southgate needs more from the likes of Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard to allow Raheem Sterling and Kane to flourish. Sterling, in particular, has failed to really influence proceedings, but that hasn’t been for a lack of trying. Deployed in an unfamiliar centre-forward role under Southgate, Sterling has found it difficult to find meaningful space in central areas compared to when he cuts inside from the flanks for Manchester City.

There is also the fact that Sterling is used to his runs being matched by balls from Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva and the creative midfielders at England’s disposal simply aren’t at that level. Some of the football has been nice on the eye, but it hasn’t been as decisive and cutting as Southgate would want. While it can be difficult carving sides open that are determined to sit back and frustrate, the other remaining sides left in the tournament have also faced similar opposition and still managed to create an abundance of chances. Belgium, for example, have almost mirrored England’s route, but have created 51 chances from open play, second only to Germany (54).

In some ways, England are playing to their strengths. Harry Maguire and John Stones, in particular, have looked threatening from set-pieces and England have been helped by some unfathomable defending in the opposition penalty area, but, aside from the penalty they conceded, Colombia coped relatively well from free-kicks and corners. Against Sweden, it will be even more difficult.

Sweden have only conceded one goal from set-pieces at the 2018 World Cup and England will have to be more creative in general play, as Janne Andersson’s side will allow England to have the lion’s share of possession on Saturday afternoon in Samara.