No other country had lost as many penalty shootouts at a World Cup, but when history was against them England’s inexperienced team held its nerve to see off Colombia in a tense finale and progress to the quarterfinals.
England were within minutes of reaching the last eight in normal time thanks to a Harry Kane penalty until it conceded an injury-time goal — Yerry Mina powered in a header — which allowed the South Americans to live on to extra-time and, ultimately, penalties.
A miss from Mateus Uribe and a Jordan Pickford save from Carlos Bacca in the shootout proved to be Colombia’s downfall and ensured England won a penalty shootout at a World Cup for the first time in its history.
Practice makes perfect
Previously England had lost six of its seven penalty shootouts at major tournaments, its only win coming against Spain in the European Championships in 1996.
But coach Gareth Southgate — a man who famously missed from the spot in the Euro 1996 semifinal against Germany — made sure his players took spot kicks in training and, on this occasion at least, practice made perfect.
“We talked long and hard about owning the process,” Southgate told ITV when asked about the squad’s approach to penalty shootouts.
“Great credit to all the staff and our players who have taken everything on board.
“We looked at individual technique, looked at how we needed to be as a team, and the goalkeeper has been important in that.”
It was left to Eric Dier to convert the winning spot-kick and now England go from hope to excitement to fever-pitch expectation as they prepare to face Sweden on July 7.
Is football ‘coming home?’
Little was expected of this young England team when they left for Russia. There were others with more experience, better teams packed with superstars and pedigree.
But with this being the World Cup which has had little respect for reputation, sending Spain, Germany, Argentina and Portugal tumbling, English hopes have increased with every heavyweight exit.
Social media had been awash, perhaps initially with tongue firmly in cheek, with England fans claiming football was “coming home,” the chorus of the country’s favorite football song “Three Lions,” written when England hosted the European Championships in 1996 and reached the semifinals.
The English are now the only previous winners in their half of the draw and though they have some way to go before replicating the feats of 1966, the only time the country has won football’s biggest prize, even the gloomiest of fan will now perhaps be captivated.
Sweden — eight places below the English in FIFA’s world rankings — will be a dangerous opponent, but it is a tie England will be expected to successfully negotiate.
The tenacious Swedes — who reached their first World Cup quarterfinal in 24 years thanks to a 1-0 win over Switzerland — will not be obliging opponents.
Sweden, after all, topped a group which featured Germany and, though it is a team without superstars, its unity and discipline has already seen off South Korea, Mexico and the Swiss.
Southgate himself tempered expectations.
“This is special but I want us to go on now,” the Englishman added on ITV.
“Sweden, it’s another team we have a poor record against. We’ve underestimated them for years. They’re brilliant at what they do. It’s going to be a real tough test.”
From injury-time heartbreak to penalty joy for England
England controlled the beat of a high-tempo opening, pressing with urgency and keeping the opposition largely in its own half.
Without the injured James Rodriquez, captain Radamel Falcao was an isolated figure in Colombia’s attack and, starved of possession and opportunity, the former Manchester United and Chelsea striker posed little threat.
But for all their dominance in the middle of the park there were few chances for England in the first half, with the best falling to Kane in the 15th minute from a Kieran Trippier cross. But, from an acute angle, the striker headed over the crossbar.
The major talking point of the half came off the ball just before the break when replays showed Wilmar Barrios pushing his head first against Jordan Henderson’s chest and then his chin.
The England midfielder fell to the ground, but the offense was deemed worthy of a yellow card only.
With comfortable victories over the lower-ranked Tunisia and Panama in the group stages, followed by defeat to an understrength Belgium after having already qualified, this was supposed to be the biggest test of the tournament for England but, in truth, for the majority of the match Colombia only tested the English temperament.
Within minutes after the break, the Colombians were punished for their ill-discipline — the referee caught Carlos Sanchez rugby tackling Kane to the ground at a corner and had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick.
Some Colombians argued with the referee while others scuffed the penalty spot with their studs, but it made little difference to Kane who calmly scored his sixth goal of this tournament, putting him in prime position for the Golden Boot award.
As Colombia searched for an equalizer, England threatened on the counter-attack, though Colombia did have an opportunity in the 80th minute.
Kyle Walker lost the ball in Colombia’s half, the South Americans rapidly attacked but Juan Cuadrado shot into the stands when he should have at least tested Pickford.
Pickford, who has had to face questions over whether he is worthy of a starting place, produced a sensational save to deny Uribe from distance in injury time but with just minutes remaining the England goalkeeper could do little to prevent the equalizer.
From a corner, Mina headed beyond the diving Pickford and Trippier, who was standing on the line, to set up a grandstand finish.
In the first-half of injury time England faced wave after wave of yellow-shirted attacks — Falaco and Mina tested with headers — but England held firm and regained its composure in the final 15 minutes before the match concluded with the most dramatic of climaxes.
