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Fifa World Cup 2018
SportFootball

Fifa World Cup: England would find Sweden tough in quarter-finals, says former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson

The Swede, who coached England to two successive World Cup quarter-finals, says he is impressed with the job Gareth Southgate is doing

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Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England would struggle to beat his native Sweden at the World Cup. Photo: Ed Sykes
Agence France-Presse
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has tipped Gareth Southgate’s team to beat Colombia in the World Cup last-16 but said his native Sweden would be tough opponents if they meet in the quarter-finals.

Eriksson – who coached England to two successive World Cup quarter-finals, in 2002 and 2006 – said he was impressed with the job Southgate is doing with his young team in Russia.

England face Colombia on Tuesday in Moscow after finishing second in their group behind Belgium, while the Swedes play Switzerland in Saint Petersburg earlier the same day.

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Eriksson believes Sweden, who topped group F after beating Mexico in their final match, may not be playing scintillating football but says they are tough to score against.
England’s hopes are on the shoulders of striker Harry Kane. Photo: AP
England’s hopes are on the shoulders of striker Harry Kane. Photo: AP

“When you come down to the last-16, it is always difficult, and it should be difficult,” Eriksson told the BBC on Sunday. “I think England will beat Colombia, then I hope they will meet Sweden.

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“I know that everyone wants to avoid Brazil, and maybe rightly, but I think it is easier to score against Brazil than against Sweden.

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