Sweden 2-3 England

After the dramatic, exhilarating storms in Donetsk, the England match was pretty exciting as well. I mentioned last time that I'm actually enjoying watching England at the moment, and this was no different, even when we went behind - there wasn't any of the drab, flat, walking pace football we have been used to under the past few managers, and while it's not the most talented squad and the players are prone to making mistakes there is always optimism, even when we go behind.

Sweden are no great shakes, but in Ibrahimovic they have the most talented, player of the two squads (and certainly the one who's had the most money spent on him). Winning the league 9 years in a row with 5 different teams is just a preposterous record and although he can be temperamental he is class - we've got no one to match him individually even including Rooney. However, we were good value for the win, starting brightly and deservedly going ahead through a great header from Carroll.

I'm not his biggest fan, but the power he put into it was evident from the way he lashed his body around on the follow-through. It was reminiscent of the first half of the season before last when he was getting on the end of Barton's free kicks at Newcastle - this time it was another Huyton native, Gerrard, who put in a ball that was practically identical to the one against France. He's a great player to have in the side, knows how to deliver on the big occasion and obviously a great crosser of the ball.

Some pretty ropey defending allowed Sweden to go in front with two horrible goals from set pieces. Unfortunately Milner - who started well and put in a few decent crosses in the first half - was tired by this point and committed a slightly desperate foul for the first free kick. I refuse to blame Hart though - he managed to save Mellberg's first shot before it ricocheted off Johnson and in. Perhaps he could have done more for the second, maybe taking control and punching it out, but he was hung out to dry by the defence, and he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

Clearly the introduction of Walcott changed things, and with that and the selection of Carroll you have to say Hodgson's decision-making was faultless. Although Walcott's goal was dodgy keeping (he was pretty bad when he played for us! Actually all three keepers from that season -Schmeichel, Isaksson, Hart - are at this tournament), Welbeck's came from a fantastic run from Theo and was a lovely finish. Maybe I can just about enjoy watching Welbeck play for England.