Coming Home?

England are back in a World Cup semi-final for the first time in 28 years after defeating Sweden 0x2 at the Cosmos Arena in Samara. Gareth Southgate's young guns were unfancied going into the tournament, but are now a game away from the World Cup final - thanks in big part to their expertise at set-pieces.

Eight of the Three Lions' 11 goals in Russia have stemmed from dead-ball situations - centre-back Harry Maguire bulleting home a header from a corner to get the party started against the Swedes. This haul represents the most goals from dead-balls at a World Cup dating all the way back to 1970. 

📈 Most goals fr. deadballs at a World Cup finals (fr. 1970):
8⚽: 💥ENGLAND (2018)💥 
7⚽: Poland (1974)
6⚽: Holland (1974, 1978), Bulgaria (1994), Italy (2006), Spain (2006)#WorldCup #Russia2018 pic.twitter.com/Nh8MxjzceK

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) 9 de julio de 2018

England's two headed goals against the Swedish also put the Three Lions top of the rankings in Russia 2018 when it comes to headers (5 goals) - Dele Alli nodding home a Jesse Lingard cross to seal their victory. 

📈 Most headed goals at a World Cup finals (fr. 1970):
8⚽: Germany (2002)
7⚽: Sweden (1994)
6⚽: Poland (1974)
5⚽: 👊ENGLAND (2018)👊, Czechsolvakia (1990)#Russia2018 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/I7PTzxfNLW

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) 9 de julio de 2018

England will fight for a place in the final on Wednesday against Croatia - who are competing in their second-ever World Cup semi-final (their first at France 1998).

Check out @playmaker_EN for all your World Cup stats this summer - and be sure to visit thefinalball.com to keep abreast of every kick in Russia. Click here for the running order.