Sweden

2-2

England

Allback 51, Larsson 90

 

Cole 34, Gerrard 85


2006 World Cup Finals, Group B
Tuesday 20 June 2006
RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne

Steven Gerrard revealed that he was told to add some extra energy to England’s midfield and insisted that the Three Lions achieved their objective against Sweden – to finish top of Group B.

The Three Lions midfielder was a second half substitute and cleared a Sweden shot off the line before giving England a late lead prior to the Scandinavians’ last minute equaliser.

Gerrard said: “The manager wanted me to come on to try and put a bit of energy into the midfield, but it was difficult because they were pushing for a goal.

“I think we stopped passing and moving. We’ve been trying to work on it in training – trying to keep the same tempo in the second half. But from the bench it looked really difficult.”

England now face Ecuador in the last 16 in Stuttgart on Sunday, but Gerrard stressed that the Three Lions were not worried about facing Germany in the knock-out stage.

He added: “We were prepared for whoever we came up against in the last 16. The most important thing today was to top the group.

“I thought our play was a bit better today. But we looked a bit vulnerable off set-pieces, so we need to get them sorted on the training ground.”

England v Sweden, FIFA World Cup, Cologne, 20 June 2005

England: Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand (Sol Campbell, 56), Ashley Cole, David Beckham, Owen Hargreaves, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney (Steven Gerrard, 69), Michael Owen (Peter Crouch, 3).
Subs not used: David James, Scott Carson, Wayne Bridge, Gary Neville, Aaron Lennon, Stewart Downing, Jermaine Jenas, Michael Carrick, Theo Walcott

Sweden: Isaksson, Lucic, Mellberg, Edman, Alexandersson, Linderoth (Andersson, 90), Kallstrom, Ljungberg, Jonson (Wilhelmsson, 54), Larsson, Allback (Elmander, 74).
Subs not used: Alvbage, Hansson, Ibrahimovic, Nilsson, Rosenberg, Shaaban, Stenman, Anders Svensson, Karl Svensson.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Sui)
Assistants: Francesco Buragina (Sui), Matthias Arnet (Sui)
Fourth Official: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Ksa)
Fifth Official: Fathi Arabati (Jor)