England will bid to end their 28-year wait to reach a World Cup semi-final when they face Sweden on Saturday. Gareth Southgate's young side face the Scandinavians in Samara with a place in the last four against either Croatia or hosts Russia up for grabs. 

With the exits of Brazil and Uruguay, there are no multiple winners left in the competition, while it is the first time in history that none of Brazil, Germany or Argentina have made the semi-finals. That leaves perhaps the most wide-open World Cup of modern times heading towards the final week, and England manager Southgate has called on his team to take advantage. "We came into this tournament as the least experienced team – we were one of the youngest teams in it," he said. "But we said that we're an improving side who want to make our own history." The 1966 champions edged out Colombia in the last 16 with their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout win after three previous defeats, securing a first knockout-round victory at a major tournament since beating Ecuador in 2006.

"We've already had our first knockout win in 12 years, our first win in a penalty shootout in a World Cup for England, the highest number of goals scored in an individual game (against Panama)," added former defender Southgate. "We want to keep making that history." 

Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham have agreed on the terms of a friendly wager ahead of the England vs. Sweden World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. Ibrahimovic, Sweden's all-time top scorer with 62 goals, has been vocal in support of his homeland from his vantage point with his Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy – former England captain Beckham's onetime MLS club.

Ibrahim took to Twitter to challenge Beckham on the eve of the showdown in Samara, Russia. "Yo @davidbeckham if @england wins I buy you dinner where ever you want in the world, but if @swemnt wins you buy me whatever I want from @ikeasverige ok?" Ibrahimovic wrote. Beckham responded via Instagram: "@iamzlatanibrahimovic if @swemnt win I will personally take you to @ikeasverige and buy you whatever you need for the new mansion in LA @lagalaxy, but when @england win I want you to come to watch an @england game at Wembley wearing an England shirt and enjoy fish & chips at halftime." 

(With agency input)