Andy Carroll has hailed the "great" England performance that saw his side scrape past Sweden 3-2 in Friday's gritty Euro 2012 encounter in Kiev.
The Liverpool striker put England ahead with a trademark header in the 23rd minute, but the Swedes turned it around dramatically after the break only for England to hit back and score a late winner.
"It was a great performance by everyone," Carroll said. "We all stuck at it even when we went 2-1 down, and got the two goals to get the win."
The 23-year-old front man said the result illustrated the close bonds the team have forged since Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 camp began a week before the tournament kicked off.
"We fought back and we all know what we're about and we've got a great team spirit going on."
He agreed with teammate Theo Walcott, who had likened the atmosphere to a family.
"We're really close. Back at the camp we all stick together and we're all good friends and having a laugh. ... That's the key really."
Carroll's strike was his first international goal in his maiden competitive appearance for his country.
England drew 1-1 with Group B favorites France, and after the Swedish victory need a point against co-hosts Ukraine on Tuesday to qualify for the quarterfinals.
