The identity of the final two World Cup semifinalists will be revealed on Saturday, with the quarter finals coming to a conclusion.
England take on Sweden in Samara at 10 a.m. ET, before Russia look to clinch their first ever semifinal spot as standalone country when they face Croatia in Sochi at 2 p.m. ET.
Both games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Telemundo, with commentary in English on the former and Spanish on the latter. The matches will also be available online via FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer Match Pass and via the FOX Sports app and will be streamed live via Fubo Premier, DirectTV Now and Sling Blue.
On Tuesday, England beat Colombia on penalties to record their first win in the knockout stage of a major tournament since 2006. Now only Sweden stand between England and a first semifinal appearance at the World Cup since 1990.
According to bookmaker William Hill, the Three Lions head into the tie as favorites, with odds of 19/20 to win in 90 minutes. The draw is at 11/5 and the likelihood of Sweden to progress to a first semifinal since 1994 at 18/5.
England manager Gareth Southgate has urged his players to "make the most" of the opportunity in Russia.
"We have huge respect for Sweden," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"They are a team that I think in the past have been underestimated—we won't make that mistake. Our players come from the same background as their players. We shouldn't get carried away with ourselves being better than Sweden."
England have only beaten Sweden in two of their last 15 meetings. However, optimism is at an all-time high around the Three Lions, particularly after they won their first ever penalty shootout in a World Cup.
In the other semifinal, Russia look to continue their remarkable run in the tournament, which saw them knocking out Spain on penalties in the round of 16.
The hosts go into their game against Croatia as a slight underdog at 3/1 to win in 90 minutes, while their opponents are 13/10 and the draw 15/7.
Russia produced a dogged defensive display against Spain and coach Stanislav Cherchesov hinted he worked hard to convince his players his tactics would pay off.
"I really had to persuade [my players] that this was the only way out," he was quoted as saying by The Guardian. "We don't like this kind of structure but this is what we had to do with three defenders. Thank God my footballers understood what I was telling them. They trusted me."
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Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more
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