Former England assistant manager Gary Neville has warned that the current crop risk slipping up when they face an “efficient” Sweden side in Saransk.
The Three Lions set up the quarter-final tie thanks to a penalty-shootout win over Colombia on Tuesday evening, leaving them on course for a first appearance in the World Cup semis since 1990.
Neville was part of England’s coaching staff when they suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Iceland at Euro 2016, and the Manchester United legend is worried that a similar type of game may unfold on Saturday afternoon.
“Playing against Sweden is generally not a pretty affair. They are difficult to play against,” he told Sky Sports News. “They’re efficient, know what they’re doing and have a good system of play.
“Iceland caused us problems two years ago, and it will be a very similar game to that. They’ve got quality as well. It’s going to be a really difficult game – but a game that we can be confident in. A game that we can win.
“Brazil have amazing players – they’re on a different level. We’re playing against Sweden, so we can be absolutely confident that we’ll be able to match them in every department.”
Sweden, ranked 12 places below England in the latest FIFA rankings, beat Switzerland 1-0 in their quarter-final match.