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The all-time World Cup




May 6th 2005
London, Wembley Stadium
ENGLAND - SWEDEN
0-0

      GOALS                   -

      REFEREE                 Sandor Puhl (Hungary)

      ATTENDANCE              94,000

      YELLOW CARDS            Lawton (ENG) - Nordquist, Nilsson (SWE)




      ENGLAND (Coach: Alf Ramsey, system 4-4-2)

       1 Gordon Banks
       2 Bob Crompton
       5 Tony Adams
       6 Bobby Moore (captain)
       3 Roger Byrne
       7 Stanley Matthews
       8 Duncan Edwards
      10 Bobby Charlton           (-90)
      15 Tom Finney               (-62)
       9 Gary Lineker             (-86)
      14 Tom Lawton

      Substitutes:
      13 Cliff Bastin             (+62)
      20 Steve Bloomer            (+86)
      16 Bryan Robson             (+90)



      SWEDEN (Coach: George Raynor, system 4-3-3)
      
       1 Ronnie Hellström
       2 Orvar Bergmark
       5 Bengt Gustavsson
       4 Björn Nordquist (captain)
       3 Erik Nilsson
      10 Gunnar Gren
      16 Stefan Schwarz
       8 Nils Liedholm
      19 Kurt Hamrin
       9 Gunnar Nordahl
      14 Ralf Edström             (-77)

      Substitutes:
      11 Lennart Skoglund         (+77)


MATCHREPORT


    Alf Ramsey, England's coach, changed his side on a few places compared to the difficult match with Denmark that gained England a hardfought point. Roger Byrne came back as left back, Tom Finney got his chance and the coach preferred big Lawton to tiny Steve Bloomer up front. A draw would suit England well, but on their own holy Wembley soil they knew they could only play for three points. George Raynor came back from the 4 strikers experiment that he had tried against Austria, without too much success. Rydell was benched and Stefan Schwarz came in as a defensive midfielder. Towering Ralf Edström played left winger instead of Lennart Skoglund who had not impressed in the first two matches. Both teams looked quite offensive.

    Though England didn't really need the win, they were out to force a decision right away. Over the wings they shelled Hellström's goal and through the middle Charlton and Edwards were a constant threat. But Sweden's defence was just like a wall this day. Gustavsson marked Lawton and he did it very well, Lawton had little chance to impose. Bergmark followed Lineker like a shadow. And when the defenders couldn't hold them, Hellström again was a perfect goalkeeper. Early chances came to Edwards and Finney, but Hellström stood in their way. The Swedish goalie again proved to be among the world's better goalkeepers. Apart from making saves on the line he was very sound punching away crosses from both flanks.

    On the other end Sweden also acquitted themselves well. A header from Edström, who beat Crompton in the air, was kept out by Banks and Nordahl's shot was blocked by Adams. The English stopper did well against the mighty Swedish topscorer and this was the only time Nordahl got close to scoring. Otherwise it was England that was at the wheel. Lineker just failed to get on the end of a beautiful center by Matthews and a hammer from 25 metres out from Edwards forced Hellström to a brilliant save. All that left the English was a corner kick. Half time came without score.

    With Denmark in front at the same time against Austria, Sweden had to go forward after the break and they did. They had to accept the risk of running into the English counterattack. It became more of an open match. Chances came on both sides. Sweden were close to opening the score when Crompton failed to clear a cross. The ball fell to Gren's feet but Banks got his fists to it. Minutes later he tipped a free kick from Liedholm over the bar. England almost opened the scoring when Lawton rose above Gustavsson but again Hellström had the last word.

    Then, after a little more than an hour, Ramsey took off the disappointing Finney and brought in Cliff Bastin who immediately took centre stage. He ran past Bergmark but his shot only reached the sidenetting. Slowly but surely the freshness left the players' legs. The pace of the game had been high. Still no goals however, no disaster for England but very dangerous for Sweden who would be out with an Austrian or Danish win. Raynor decided to bring Skoglund for the last 15 minutes, hoping that fresh blood would hurt the tiring English defenders. Edström had to leave the field. Sweden were eliminated when the message arrived in London that Denmark were leading Austria. They threw everything forward but England stood tall in defence, led by Moore and Adams. When referee Sandor Puhl blew the final whistle, Sweden were still not sure about their fate but a late equalizer from Austrian striker Binder saved them and put both Sweden and England through in this magnificent Group of Death.

    England would now travel to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for a big clash with either Argentina or Germany. The whole world looked forward to this match with a lot of history. Regardless whether it would be Argentina or Germany. Sweden would meet the winner of the same group, a match to be played in Madrid.

    The last matches in group G are without too much tension. Although Argentina and Germany play a rematch of the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals. At stake is the win in the group. Germany need a draw to win it and play against Sweden in the round of last 16. If Argentina win, the Germans play England. Argentina-Germany is in Buenos Aires with referee George Reader. Both teams are expected to play with their best teams, Helmut Schön might drop a striker for this heavy test. Turkey and Switzerland are scheduled in the huge Maracana for their last match that is completely meaningless, apart from regaining a bit of pride after the two teams were humiliated by the giants in the group. Referee here is Nikolai Latichev.




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