Ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Samara, Sportsmail's MARTIN KEOWN takes a look at the likely Sweden XI who will be out to stop Gareth Southgate's Three Lions.

SAMI MOKBEL IN SAMARA: Southgate, who has considered giving his midfield a defensive feel against Swedenn by starting with Dier in place of Alli, has nurtured a feeling of togetherness.

The last time a Scandinavian nation beat England in the World cup the reaction from Norwegian commentator Bjørge Lillelien was pretty un-Scandinavian to say the least.

Jordan Pickford revealed on Saturday night that he injured his hand by accidentally hammering it against his knee in a moment of frustration during his man-of-the-match display

Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to be ready to hold up his end of the bargain he has with David Beckham after his beloved Sweden were knocked out of the World Cup by England on Saturday.

Steve McManaman has correctly guessed 12 out of 14 World Cup knockout stage games in Russia and believes that France will go on to win the tournament on Sunday afternoon.

Sweden started the match brightly as they threatened the Austrian goal but in the end were the cause of their own downfall after a horror own goal put them at a disadvantage early on. 

Turkey substitute Emre Akbaba got two late goals to snatch a stunning 3-2 win over Sweden in the Nations League as the visitors recovered from two goals down at the Friends Arena on Monday.

The 33-year-old former Wigan Athletic centre-back has been key to Sweden 's impressive defensive record and captained his country at the World Cup forming a partnership with United's Victor Lindelof.

Victor Lindelof issued his former Manchester United and Sweden team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic a light-hearted warning after scoring just his second international goal on Tuesday night.

You know a match is perhaps not the most interesting when the key moment is a second half substitute. This was the case in Sweden, as the sub almost poked his own eye out while coming on.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played for European giants across the biggest leagues, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Sergio Ramos equalled Iker Casillas' record of 167 caps for Spain as they thrashed the Faroe Islands 4-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday night.

Spanish papers have heaped praise on Sergio Ramos as the captain looks set to break Iker Casillas' record by winning his 168th cap for Spain.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is currently gearing up for Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier against Norway on Saturday night, enjoyed a break from his goalkeeping duties during training.

PETE JENSON IN OSLO: Bournemouth's Joshua King won a point for Norway against Spain scoring a penalty against Kepa Arrizabalga after the Chelsea keeper had given away the spot-kick.

Spain midfielder Ceballos fouled Olsson and was subsequently shown a yellow card as Spain trailed in the match.

Sweden striker Alexander Isak was subjected to racist abuse by Romania fans during his side's 2-0 win. The game was stopped by the referee as the first step of UEFA's protocol.

Alexander Isak has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic since racing on the scene at 16. He turned down Real Madrid as a youngster and is now showing his true potential with Real Sociedad.

Jo Konta took exception to being asked if she would 'offer her services' to Andy Murray in the Wimbledon mixed doubles, saying it made her sound 'like a hooker'. The British No 1 reacted with shock.

LAURA LAMBERT AT EASTBOURNE: Jo Konta sailed through the opening round at the Eastbourne International on Sunday to keep her Wimbledon preparations on track.

Sydney-born Konta, 28, moved to Eastbourne in East Sussex with her Hungarian parents when she was 14-years-old.

Heather Watson is part of a new crop of players that have recently re-energised the British game. Katie Nicholl meets the British tennis star who's aceing it on and off Centre Court

The athlete, 28, has revealed that her family members and close friends have failed to recognise her when she is out of her tennis whites.

LAURA LAMBERT ON COURT NO 1: Jo Konta made light work of her first-round match at Wimbledon, impressing the Duchess of Cambridge with a straight-sets victory on No1 Court.

Johanna Konta met the Duchess of Cambridge at the practice courts before the match but was not aware that the tennis-loving royal was also in the stands.

It's another exciting day of action at Wimbledon - and Sportsmail is once again on hand to guide you through everything. Day four includes the likes of Rafael Nadal, Jo Konta and Andy Murray!

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI AT WIMBLEDON: Konta battled back from a set down to sink Stephens and reach the last 16 at Wimbledon. The British No 1 appeared to be heading to defeat but fought back.

Johanna Konta knows she faces an 'inspired' opponent in Petra Kvitova in the last 16 at Wimbledon on Monday. Czech sixth seed Kvitova has breezed into the fourth round.

MIKE DICKSON ON CENTRE COURT: It started with the Centre Court crowd tittering at the velvety baritone of umpire Nouni, and ended with them roaring Konta into the quarter finals.

MIKE DICKSON AT WIMBLEDON: Konta powered her way towards a showdown with Serena Williams on Monday as the American was hit with an £8,000 fine for damaging a championship court.

British Number One Johanna Konta has beaten Czech player Petra Kvitova to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

MIKE DICKSON ON CENTRE COURT: It was all there again for Jo Konta - another Grand Slam semi-final, this time against a possibly vulnerable Serena Williams.

British Number One Johanna Konta said people have told her they 'want her to die', but tries to cut herself off from it by getting a member of her team to delete hurtful comments and block trolls.

MATTHEW LAMBERT AT WIMBLEDON: The British No 1 led 4-1 in the first set but her Czech opponent reeled her back in and Konta was left looking one-dimensional by the end.

Jo Konta left Wimbledon on Tuesday night bitterly disappointed, a Grand Slam semi-final appearance spurned. She also walked away with £294,000. Rewards come with scrutiny.

Most of us appreciate the value of a good night's sleep, but how much would you pay to wake up feeling refreshed and restored each day?

Johanna Konta suffered a first-round defeat at the Rogers Cup in Toronto as the British No 1 was beaten in straight sets by 19-year-old Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Konta is relishing big tournaments like never before this year, and she clocked her twelfth victory in the Grand Slams this season by reaching the US Open third round.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Jo Konta emerged again as the last surviving British player when she powered into the last 16 of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-3 win over China's Shuai Zhang.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Martina Navratilova described the British No 1's performance in beating China's Zhuai Shang on Friday night as 'A-plus' as she prepares to take on Karolina Pliskova next.

The actor, 38, looked enthralled as he watched Johanna Konta of Great Britain play against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic on Sunday.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Hardly anyone walks tightrope of deciding sets as well as Jo Konta this year, and she successfully did so once again to make the last eight of the US Open.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Words with negative connotations are out when it comes to the work she does with Dimitri Zavialoff. The hairdryer is strictly confined to the hotel room.

He's been taking advantage of his temporary American residency by enjoying the US Open. 

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: This time there were no recriminations or spats with the media, just the numbing disappointment of another missed opportunity.

Konta has not played since losing in the US Open quarter-finals in early September - it is a disappointing end to a brilliant year, who began the year ranked 39 and is currently sitting 11th.

British No 1 Jo Konta has recovered sufficiently from lingering knee issues and expects to be fully fit for the Australian Open.

Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland will 'always be' a European nation while on a visit to Brussels, where she embraced the European Commission President.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford delivered the extraordinary tirade at PMQs, hammering Mr Johnson for describing muslim women in veils as 'letterboxes'.