Sunderland celebrates as England beat Sweden 2-0 to score place in World Cup semi-finals

Hundreds of football fans have Sunderland city centre rocking as England sail through to the World Cup semi-finals.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Jul 2018, 18:02 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2018, 15:52 BST
Celebrating the win!Celebrating the win!
Celebrating the win!

Two big screens were set up in town today by Sunderland Bid as fans gathered at the free Fan Zone at Low Row and Sunniside Live to watch the action unfold.

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Celebrating the win!Celebrating the win!
Celebrating the win!

The Low Row venue was a complete sell-out, with organisers forced to institute a one-out, one-in policy on admissions.

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And Sunniside is set to celebrate in style tonight, with headliners The Lightning Seeds performing anthem Three Lions to a packed crowd.

The song was on everyone's lips at both venues and even city centres shops got in on the act, with Debenhams playing it after announcing England's first goal.

Goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli were enough to see England through, with Sunderland-born keeper Jordan Pickford again proving he is undeniably world-class with a couple of outstanding stops to defend England's lead.

Crowds gather at the Sunderland Fan Zone in Low Row for England v Sweden.Crowds gather at the Sunderland Fan Zone in Low Row for England v Sweden.
Crowds gather at the Sunderland Fan Zone in Low Row for England v Sweden.

Fans were delighted to see England through to their first semi-final in almost 30 years.

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Related content: Little lions cheer on England in World Cup quarter-final

Gary Rutter, from Pallion, said: "It was fantastic. "The performance was very good. They all played extremely well.

"I think the team team is playing as a unit and Jordan Pickford was absolutely outstanding."

Watching the action at the Sunderland Fan Zone.Watching the action at the Sunderland Fan Zone.
Watching the action at the Sunderland Fan Zone.

Calum McIvor, from London, is in Sunderland to visit dad Lenny.

"I am absolutely buzzing," he said.

"England are in a World Cup semi-final - it's amazing."

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He believes he next round will be a tougher test for Gareth Southgate;s side, however.

Crowds watching at Sunniside Live.Crowds watching at Sunniside Live.
Crowds watching at Sunniside Live.

"I am a bit worried," he admitted.

"Teams like Belgium and France are great - don't think Sweden were that much of a challenge.

"I felt it was quite comfortable."

He was unimpressed by the efforts of Raheem Sterling and Alli - despite the Spurs man getting a goal.

"A header from two yards? My dad could have scored that."

Related content: Alan Shearer hails Sunderland-born Liverpool star Jordan Henderson as England reach World Cup semi-final

But he was impressed by one performance in particular: "Jordan Pickford was outstanding - again.

"He was brilliant."

*England will face either Russia or Croatia in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Related topics:EnglandJordan PickfordSunderlandJordan Henderson