FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: England beat Colombia On Penalties
Jordan Pickford saved brilliantly from Carlos Bacca and Eric Dier stepped up to send England into the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
England advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Colombia on a dramatic evening in Moscow on Tuesday.
Harry Kane’s sixth goal of the World Cup appeared enough to secure England’s first knockout win at a major tournament in 12 years. The Three Lions captain scoring from the spot after he was fouled by Carlos Sanchez. In addition, this puts him two clear of nearest rival Romelu Lukaku in the race for the Golden Boot.
It was there that England overcame a miserable history with spot-kicks to book their first trip to the last eight since the 2006 tournament in Germany.
Star playmaker James Rodriguez was left out of the squad entirely. James suffered a calf injury in Colombia’s final group-stage match against Senegal.
The 26-year-old Bayern Munich man was marked as “absent” in the official team list. This meant he was not fit enough to even appear as a substitute.
England boss Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, counted on the same XI that saw the Three Lions narrowly beat Tunisia in their opening match. This squad included Raheem Sterling partnering Harry Kane up front.
However, Colombia took the last-16 tie into extra-time with a dramatic equalizer in the 93rd minute in Moscow on Tuesday. The occasion took Yerry Mina climbing highest in the box to score ahead in Juan Cuadrado’s corner.
First Half:
England started on top, Ospina beating away a long-range Ashley Young drive before Raheem Sterling saw a pair of shots well blocked. Kane had the game’s first chance in the 16th minute. However, arriving beyond the back post to meet a Kieran Trippier cross, the Tottenham striker could not direct his header on target.
Barrios was perhaps fortunate only to be booked when he appeared to headbutt Henderson. Henderson exaggerated the contact. However, there was no doubting the intent from Barrios, referee Mark Geiger opting not to consult VAR for himself before showing the yellow card.
Second Half:
Colombia had frustrated England with their physical approach. But it came at a cost as they gave away a penalty early in the second half when Sanchez dragged Kane down in the box.
Kane had a long wait to take the kick, with Colombia attempting to distract the England captain. However, the Tottenham striker kept his cool to beat Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina from 12 yards.
Penalties:
It then went to Penalties after an extra time filled with guilt edged chances for both teams. Falcao scored the first penalty convincingly. Harry Kane then stepped up and led by example.
Cuadrado drove a powerful effort straight into the top left corner. Pickford dived the right way but had no chance of reaching that.
Rashford fired into the bottom left corner with a calm and confident strike. Muriel sent Pickford the wrong way as he rolled the ball into the right of the goal. Henderson went to the bottom right but Ospina found himself equal to it, and parried it wide of the right post.
Substitute Uribe stepped up next and fired his penalty straight into the underside of the bar.
Trippier drove his penalty into the top left. Ospina went the right way but Ospina couldn’t reach it.
Bacca tried to go down the middle but the outstretched hand of Pickford kept it out of the net.
Dier stepped up and coolly fired into the bottom left corner. England win, 4-3 and qualify for the quarterfinals.
