Penalty shootout win gets England to quarters

This 2018 FIFA World Cup is being spoken about as the most exciting World Cup so far, and every day we see another thrilling game being played. It was the last game of the Round of 16 stage and England took on Colombia, with the three lions starting as clear favourites to go through.

However, the English strikers were finding it very difficult to breach the Colombian defence. Honestly, this wasn’t their best game in this tournament so far and Colombia had more chances on goal when the teams went into the half-time break, goalless. Colombia were at a slight disadvantage with their star player James Rodriguez out with an injury.

England weren’t at their last night, but they got their first opportunity when Harry Kane was pulled down in the box following a corner and a penalty was awarded. Kane stepped up and put England in the lead in the 57th minute, bringing up his 6th goal of the 2018 World Cup and his third from a penalty.

Colombia desperately tried to get even in the last half an hour but were unsuccessful. They had more shots on goal than England through the game and just as people were getting ready for the full-time whistle and their celebrations, Yerry Mina proved to be a Colombian hero once again.

It was his third goal in three consecutive games for Colombia, scoring a header in the 93rd minute, adding another late goal to this tournament’s tally. Rodriguez cheered his team on from the sidelines as he knew the hopes were still alive for Colombia. 30 minutes of extra time went goalless and the players then prepared from the penalty shootout.

Colombia initially had a 3-2 lead in the penalty shootout but the 24-year old English goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, proved to be his team’s flying superhero as the opposition missed two kicks in a row and all England needed to do was net the final kick. Eric Dier netted the final shot as England won 4-3 and went through to the quarter finals. Full match highlights here.

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