England beat a lackluster Sweden 2-0 on Saturday to reach a World Cup semifinal for the first time since 1990.

The Three Lions meet Croatia in an all-Europe final four after they broke Russian hearts in the day's second match with a 4-3 win on penalties after the teams finished extra time locked at two goals apiece.

England came into the quarterfinal on a high after breaking their World Cup shootout duck in their round-of-16 victory over Colombia, and they kept the good times rolling against a thoroughly outclassed Sweden.

Goals by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli either side of halftime put the 1966 world champions through at Samara Arena, while heroics from man-of-the-match Jordan Pickford in front of goal ensured they held on.

(Harry Maguire (6) celebrates with John Stones after heading England in front)

"We know our ability and it is all about our togetherness," said Pickford, who kept a clean sheet for the first time at the Russia World Cup. "I feel like if the togetherness is still there, which it is always, we control our ability on the pitch. That's why we won 2-0."

England manager Gareth Southgate was understandably upbeat about the win, saying he is proud of the way his team has come through a week that has seen many challenges thrown at them.

"To come on the back of a game in which we had to go to the very depths, emotionally and physically, midweek and be able to give what we gave today, control the game and withstand the physical test, is a real sign of resilience for a young team that is really maturing in front of our eyes," he said.

"I think we were brave enough to play at times and open them up, and probably could have had a couple more. But then, equally, we owe a lot to our goalkeeper who made a couple of big saves at crucial moments."

England have proven themselves deadly from set pieces in Russia and the first goal in 30th-minute proved how well they have weaponized the dead ball.

Manchester United's Ashley Young was the provider, the winger swinging a corner onto the head of Maguire who won an aerial battle with Emil Forsberg and produced a powerful header that gave Swedish keeper Robin Olsen little chance to react.

Pickford was tested for the first time early in the second half when Marcus Berg forced him into super save to his left. Berg rose above Young to get his head to a cross from Ludwig Augustinsson but the Everton keeper was up to the task.

When Alli got in behind some poor Swedish defense to meet a Jesse Lingard cross at the back post, England went two-up.

(Dele Alli reacts after sealing the win for England)

Southgate said the team's second goal was some time in the planning.

"We know that Sweden are very, very strong defending crosses at their near post, and we felt that balls to the far post and late runs from midfield were something that could cause them a problem," he said.

"It was a really super cross from Jesse, and Dele is at his best when he makes those runs."

Pickford made two more sharp saves before the final whistle, keeping out a 61st-minute Viktor Claesson shot and tipping over a Berg close-range attempt with just under 20 minutes to go.

It was all drama later on Saturday in Sochi as the Russia-Croatia quarterfinal went to penalties.

Russia will reflect on what could have been after Fyodor Smolov fluffed the first spot kick of the shootout at Fisht Stadium, chipping it weakly to Croatian goalie Danijel Subasic.

That mistake was compounded when Mario Fernandes, the player who got Russia into the shootout with a late goal, went from hero to zero when he pulled the Russia third attempt wide left, putting the home team in a 2-1 hole after three shots.

(Croatia goalkeepe Danijel Subasic stops  Fyodor Smolov's penalty) 

Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev got a hand on Luka Modric's shot, but saw it bounce agonizingly off the post and in and Croatia did not give any more chances as the last two takers slotted the ball clinically to knock the hosts out.

Russia's start to the match was in stark contrast to the finish, Denis Cheryshev drilling a strong contender for goal of the tournament in the 31st minute.

His fourth goal of the tournament, Cheryshev latched on to a 1-2 pass from Artem Dzyuba and unloaded a missile from distance, leaving Subasic rooted to the spot.

Eight minutes later Andrej Kramaric had Croatia even when he nodded home a pass from Mario Mandzukic, and that would be all the goals in the 90 minutes.

Domagoj Vida looked to have given the Croatians the win when he slotted in in the 101st minute, but Fernandes sent the game to penalties, heading a late equalizer in the 115th minute.