Raheem Sterling (top) of England vies with goalkeeper Robin Olsen of Sweden during the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between Sweden and England in Samara, Russia, July 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

SAMARA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- England qualified for the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time in 28 years on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Sweden thanks to a 30th minute goal from Harry Maguire and a 59th minute goal from midfielder Dele Ali.

Maguire opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner taken by the impressive Kieran Trippier, and the right back was again the supplier as Ali's header doubled England's lead just before the hour.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also made a telling contribution with three magnificent saves to deny Viktor Claesson and Marcos Berg as Sweden looked to get back into the game.