The last time England won a knockout match was in 2006 versus another South American team which was Ecuador, however, this game was tense and hostile.

Colombia managed to scrape through to the last 16 after losing their first game to Japan with 10 men for most of the game and then beating Poland and Senegal to top their group.

England’s first chance on goal was in the 16th minute when Kieran Trippier’s cross met England captain Harry Kane but he could not wrap around the ball to trouble the Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.

After a tense brawl between both teams, the last 10 minutes of the first half was filled with terrible sportsmanship by the Colombians when Harry Kane won a freekick in a dangerous area, the Colombian players surrounded the referee and prevented the kick to be taken.

Additionally, while standing in the wall, Wilmar Barrios intentionally headbutted Jordan Henderson which should have been a red card if the referee witnessed it. But VAR only recommended a yellow card and did not allow the referee to review the incident again.

After 4 minutes Kieran Trippier’s freekick went wide.

Tensions were high, and the American referee took that in consideration when giving fouls and bookings. However, England won a penalty in the 54th minute when Carlos Sanchez fouled Harry Kane in the box in front of the referee from a corner kick.

After another delay by the Colombian players who surrounded the referee in protest, some players were scrapping the penalty spot to influence the penalty kick.

However, after 3 minutes, Kane’s penalty shot went in the middle, sending Ospina the wrong way to make it Colombia 0-1 England in the 57th minute.

The second half was drawing to an end, but Colombia earned a corner after Mateus Uribe’s spectacular shot was saved by the English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s fingertips.

Colombia equalised from the corner in extra time by a Yerry Mina header to make it Colombia 1-1 England and push the game into extra time.

Momentum was on Colombia’s side after scoring the equaliser and the Colombian fans hugely outnumbered the English fans.

No meaningful attacks happen in extra time apart from Danny Rose shot from a tight angle in the 112th minute went across the goal.

The game had to be decided by penalties.

This was Colombia’s first penalty shootout in a competitive game while England record with penalties shootout is poor to the point where almost half of the questions to the English manager in the pre-match conference was about penalties shootout.

 Only Jordan Henderson’s penalty was saved by Ospina while the following Colombian penalty shot by Uribe hit the bar.

Pickford saved Carlos Bacca’s penalty which gave England the advantage where Eric Dier ended the game by scoring.

England won 4-3 on penalties.

England will play Sweden in the quarterfinals which will be a tough draw but momentum is on England side.  

Source of Image: BBC

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