England 1-1 Colombia (4-3 Pens) - England Break Penalty Curse and Win First Ever World Cup Shoot-Out
After meeting expectations and getting out of a group they were expected to, England now face Colombia. England finished second in their group, but it may benefit them doing so. The Three Lions will face Colombia and if they get through, Sweden after the Swedes beat Switzerland in the early kick-off. Meanwhile, Belgium have faced Japan, will now face Brazil and will face either France or Uruguay should they manage to beat Brazil. Colombia will be a rough, physical test but are still technically very good, perhaps one of the dark horses of the World Cup and a team that shouldn't be underestimated, especially following their 2014 World Cup Campaign in which they reached the quarter-finals and lost out to hosts Brazil. Colombia have a strong defence, midfield and attack. Barcelona youngster, Yerry Mina, and established Tottenham centre-back, Davinson Sánchez solidify the defence, while defensive midfielder Carlos Sánchez protects the back line. Colombia also have an array of attacking talent in Bayern Munich's central attacking midfielder and 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner, James Rodríguez, as well as pacey Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado the main players of the Colombian midfield. While Radamel Falcao and Carlos Bacca lead the line of attack. This should be a good test for Gareth Southgate and England. Facing a team that is similar in quality and performs at tournament football. England's last game against Belgium wasn't a fair reflection of how England will fare against teams of a similar quality or of a better quality. Both teams were already through to the knockout rounds, so both teams fielded weakened teams. Colombia will prove to be England's first proper test as they look to win their first World Cup knockout round since Germany 2006, 12 years ago.
Following a nervous start for both teams, 5 minutes in, England won a free-kick in a promising area on the left side of the box. Ashley Young stood over the free-kick and forced David Ospina into a good save. England kept up the attacks and won a couple of corners, while they didn't trouble the Colombian defence, there was a lot of holding and grappling in the box, so referee Mark Geiger issued a warning. This World Cup has been notorious for penalties being awarded, especially with the help of VAR. England were also susceptible to Colombian counter-attacks. As Colombia broke, they looked to have set up a 2 vs 1 situation, however, Quintero couldn't find his team mate. A worry for England and something they needed to be weary of. When Colombia attacked, their full-backs found themselves rather high up the pitch and the best chance of the half came on the 17th minute when the space left by left-back, Johan Mojica, was exploited. Jesse Lingard sent a through ball to the right by-line that was met by the on-rushing Kieran Trippier. Trippier's deep cross into the box was met by England and World Cup leading scorer Harry Kane at the back post, but his looping header found the roof of the net. The first piece of drama happened 10 minutes from half time as Cuadrado and Maguire square up and face off after the two come together as Maguire ushered the ball out for a goal kick. Both eventually calmed down, but could this be a sign of what's to come? England struggled with their final ball at times, but they weren't totally bereft of ideas. Raheem Sterling made multiple good runs in and behind the Colombian defence, but Colombia were resolute and solid defensively. Davinson Sánchez and Mina, both a physical presence, while Carlos Sánchez and Wilmar Barrios dropped into the defence to keep the back-line tight, making it hard for England to break them down. Controversy sparked on the 40th minute. After Kane won a free-kick just outside the box, as the defensive wall was being set up and the England players were taking their positions, Barrios headbutted Jordan Henderson's chest. Zinedine Zidane Vs. Marco Materazzi style! However, Barrios luckily managed to somehow escape a red card and only picked up a yellow. As the half ended and the teams headed for the tunnel, one of Colombia's coaches pushed Sterling. It was clear that was part of Colombia's game plan; be rough, make England lose their composure and hope they react and stop the flow of the game.
England began the second half as they did the majority of the first, winning corners and maintaining attacks. However, one of their many corners resulted in a penalty. Trippier's deep corner in to the back post would have been met by Kane, but Carlos Sánchez had a hold of Kane, who positioned his body well and went down to win the penalty. Before Kane could take the penalty, however, 4 Colombians argued with the referee, while others scuffed the penalty spot. Instead of booking any Colombian players for dissent, Henderson finds himself in the book. The penalty was won on the 54th minute, but 4 minutes and many penalty scuffs later, Kane finally converted his penalty, sending Ospina to his right and the penalty down the middle. The scuffed penalty spot didn't make a difference! England did well to remain calm and collected and not get involved in the fracas. England should have made it 2-0 after 65 minutes. Trippier's lofted ball to the back post, was met by Dele Alli, who could only head over from 4 yards out. Colombia's focus was more on disrupting the game than playing football, and was shown through their lack of possession in England's half. England came close again 10 minutes later. Alli picked out Lingard on the left side of the box, who looked to square it to Kane, but Davinson Sánchez blocked the cross brilliantly. Colombia finally began to pressure England with a few balls into the box, but England defended them well, as the last 10 minutes looked to be a nervy affair. England had a late penalty appeal rejected when Lingard looked to be through on goal, but more fantastic defending from Davinson Sánchez, as he looked to have just got a touch on the ball, denied England. There were chances galore in the final 10 minutes. Bacca dispossessed Kyle Walker, ran at John Stones, released Cuadrado, but his shot sails over. England then broke as Kane's weighted pass found Lingard, but Lingard's touch let him down. Colombia then delivered two good crosses into the England box, but Falcao headed wide. Jordan Pickford then pulled off the stop of the game, and arguably one of the saves of the tournament. Mathias Uribe's phenomenal 30-yard volley almost flew into the top-right corner, but a full stretch, fingertip save from Pickford denies Uribe of what would have been goal of the tournament. However, all of that hard work would be undone as from the following corner, Mina outjumped Maguire, headed into the ground and the ball bounced over Trippier on the line. Heartbreak for England, but jubilation for Colombia. Gareth Southgate called for calm as extra time loomed.
With the crowd behind them, Colombia looked the better team. The goal looked to have shaken England. Colombia were winning the 50/50s that they previously weren't. For the first half of extra time, Colombia looked the much better side. Mojica's low cross was almost tapped in by Bacca, but Pickford rushed off his line to make a good claim. As the first half of extra time drew to a close, Colombia had one last chance. Mojica whipped in an early cross that was met by the head of Falcao, but he could only head wide. Colombia looked the much better team and played the best they had all game. England may well be looking to take this to penalties!
The final 15 minutes was as frantic as the first, with both teams having chances and both teams trying to grab the crucial winner. After multiple slight chances for both teams, England came the closest to finding the winner on the 113th minute. Lingard played in Henderson on the left wing, who poked a through ball through to Danny Rose, who beat Barrios and Uribe for pace, and his shot beat Ospina, but also the far post and dribbled agonisingly wide. England dominated the final 5 minutes, and had many good chances to win the match. Jamie Vardy squared for Lingard to tap an effort goal wards, but Colombia clear for a corner. From the following corner, Eric Dier sent a free header over the bar. Ultimately neither team could break the deadlock in what turned out to be an extremely entertaining, but also nervous, extra time. Having not won a World Cup penalty shoot-out ever, England's fans must have been fearing the worst, myself included. 2-2 and even for the first 4 spot kicks. Colombia scored their third and up stepped Henderson, but the whole of England's stomachs sunk when Ospina dived to his left and saved his effort. England's abysmal penalty record looked to continue as Colombia take the advantage. However, Colombia could only keep up their perfect penalty conversion for so long, Uribe sent Pickford the wrong way, but smashed his effort against the crossbar. Let off for England as after Trippier scored his penalty, the scores remained level at 3-3. From having the advantage to throwing it away, Bacca sent his penalty down the middle, but Pickford was well placed to save with a strong left-handed save. All fell to Dier, score and England were through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Score and score he did, slotting neatly past Ospina into the bottom left corner. England surprised everyone and won their first ever World Cup penalty shoot-out, and only their second at a major tournament, despite going behind. As England celebrated, Southgate, the classy figure that he is, offered his support to those who missed their penalties, as a man who had been in their position.
England Players React Furiously After Barrios Headbutts Henderson
Following a nervous start for both teams, 5 minutes in, England won a free-kick in a promising area on the left side of the box. Ashley Young stood over the free-kick and forced David Ospina into a good save. England kept up the attacks and won a couple of corners, while they didn't trouble the Colombian defence, there was a lot of holding and grappling in the box, so referee Mark Geiger issued a warning. This World Cup has been notorious for penalties being awarded, especially with the help of VAR. England were also susceptible to Colombian counter-attacks. As Colombia broke, they looked to have set up a 2 vs 1 situation, however, Quintero couldn't find his team mate. A worry for England and something they needed to be weary of. When Colombia attacked, their full-backs found themselves rather high up the pitch and the best chance of the half came on the 17th minute when the space left by left-back, Johan Mojica, was exploited. Jesse Lingard sent a through ball to the right by-line that was met by the on-rushing Kieran Trippier. Trippier's deep cross into the box was met by England and World Cup leading scorer Harry Kane at the back post, but his looping header found the roof of the net. The first piece of drama happened 10 minutes from half time as Cuadrado and Maguire square up and face off after the two come together as Maguire ushered the ball out for a goal kick. Both eventually calmed down, but could this be a sign of what's to come? England struggled with their final ball at times, but they weren't totally bereft of ideas. Raheem Sterling made multiple good runs in and behind the Colombian defence, but Colombia were resolute and solid defensively. Davinson Sánchez and Mina, both a physical presence, while Carlos Sánchez and Wilmar Barrios dropped into the defence to keep the back-line tight, making it hard for England to break them down. Controversy sparked on the 40th minute. After Kane won a free-kick just outside the box, as the defensive wall was being set up and the England players were taking their positions, Barrios headbutted Jordan Henderson's chest. Zinedine Zidane Vs. Marco Materazzi style! However, Barrios luckily managed to somehow escape a red card and only picked up a yellow. As the half ended and the teams headed for the tunnel, one of Colombia's coaches pushed Sterling. It was clear that was part of Colombia's game plan; be rough, make England lose their composure and hope they react and stop the flow of the game.
Colombia Players Berate Referee Mark Geiger After Being Shown Yellow Card
England began the second half as they did the majority of the first, winning corners and maintaining attacks. However, one of their many corners resulted in a penalty. Trippier's deep corner in to the back post would have been met by Kane, but Carlos Sánchez had a hold of Kane, who positioned his body well and went down to win the penalty. Before Kane could take the penalty, however, 4 Colombians argued with the referee, while others scuffed the penalty spot. Instead of booking any Colombian players for dissent, Henderson finds himself in the book. The penalty was won on the 54th minute, but 4 minutes and many penalty scuffs later, Kane finally converted his penalty, sending Ospina to his right and the penalty down the middle. The scuffed penalty spot didn't make a difference! England did well to remain calm and collected and not get involved in the fracas. England should have made it 2-0 after 65 minutes. Trippier's lofted ball to the back post, was met by Dele Alli, who could only head over from 4 yards out. Colombia's focus was more on disrupting the game than playing football, and was shown through their lack of possession in England's half. England came close again 10 minutes later. Alli picked out Lingard on the left side of the box, who looked to square it to Kane, but Davinson Sánchez blocked the cross brilliantly. Colombia finally began to pressure England with a few balls into the box, but England defended them well, as the last 10 minutes looked to be a nervy affair. England had a late penalty appeal rejected when Lingard looked to be through on goal, but more fantastic defending from Davinson Sánchez, as he looked to have just got a touch on the ball, denied England. There were chances galore in the final 10 minutes. Bacca dispossessed Kyle Walker, ran at John Stones, released Cuadrado, but his shot sails over. England then broke as Kane's weighted pass found Lingard, but Lingard's touch let him down. Colombia then delivered two good crosses into the England box, but Falcao headed wide. Jordan Pickford then pulled off the stop of the game, and arguably one of the saves of the tournament. Mathias Uribe's phenomenal 30-yard volley almost flew into the top-right corner, but a full stretch, fingertip save from Pickford denies Uribe of what would have been goal of the tournament. However, all of that hard work would be undone as from the following corner, Mina outjumped Maguire, headed into the ground and the ball bounced over Trippier on the line. Heartbreak for England, but jubilation for Colombia. Gareth Southgate called for calm as extra time loomed.
Harry Kane Converts His Penalty to Put England 1-0 Up
With the crowd behind them, Colombia looked the better team. The goal looked to have shaken England. Colombia were winning the 50/50s that they previously weren't. For the first half of extra time, Colombia looked the much better side. Mojica's low cross was almost tapped in by Bacca, but Pickford rushed off his line to make a good claim. As the first half of extra time drew to a close, Colombia had one last chance. Mojica whipped in an early cross that was met by the head of Falcao, but he could only head wide. Colombia looked the much better team and played the best they had all game. England may well be looking to take this to penalties!
The final 15 minutes was as frantic as the first, with both teams having chances and both teams trying to grab the crucial winner. After multiple slight chances for both teams, England came the closest to finding the winner on the 113th minute. Lingard played in Henderson on the left wing, who poked a through ball through to Danny Rose, who beat Barrios and Uribe for pace, and his shot beat Ospina, but also the far post and dribbled agonisingly wide. England dominated the final 5 minutes, and had many good chances to win the match. Jamie Vardy squared for Lingard to tap an effort goal wards, but Colombia clear for a corner. From the following corner, Eric Dier sent a free header over the bar. Ultimately neither team could break the deadlock in what turned out to be an extremely entertaining, but also nervous, extra time. Having not won a World Cup penalty shoot-out ever, England's fans must have been fearing the worst, myself included. 2-2 and even for the first 4 spot kicks. Colombia scored their third and up stepped Henderson, but the whole of England's stomachs sunk when Ospina dived to his left and saved his effort. England's abysmal penalty record looked to continue as Colombia take the advantage. However, Colombia could only keep up their perfect penalty conversion for so long, Uribe sent Pickford the wrong way, but smashed his effort against the crossbar. Let off for England as after Trippier scored his penalty, the scores remained level at 3-3. From having the advantage to throwing it away, Bacca sent his penalty down the middle, but Pickford was well placed to save with a strong left-handed save. All fell to Dier, score and England were through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Score and score he did, slotting neatly past Ospina into the bottom left corner. England surprised everyone and won their first ever World Cup penalty shoot-out, and only their second at a major tournament, despite going behind. As England celebrated, Southgate, the classy figure that he is, offered his support to those who missed their penalties, as a man who had been in their position.
England Player's Celebrate Winning First Ever World Cup Penalty Shoot-Out
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