Supp. Twenty 'Was that England?'

Nothing can induce such a strong culmination of emotions and feelings in an individual quite like football can. As England huddled up and listened to Gareth Southgate’s warcry before the side entered another seemingly doomed penalty shootout, millions of fans reacted in different ways to combat the anxiety which the procession was actuating. You can only imagine what it would have been like for the players, but for once England had looked composed and collected throughout the 120 minutes of football.

England went into this Round of 16 clash in good spirits; the word from those surrounding the England camp had been all positive and spoke of a great environment in which the players and management were flourishing. The collective notion surrounding England was one that manager Gareth Southgate had been doing an excellent job and had created a culture within the side on an unprecedented scale.

The Three Lions started the game in the same manner as their other ties thus far in the tournament; the ball shifting through the back three and in doing so recycling possession. Harry Maguire looked particularly adventurous throughout the 120 minutes, often taking the ball into, and beyond the midfield. Southgates’ selection was consistent and England, as they had done in their previous games, kept the ball brilliantly; Colombia had come to defend in the absence of star playmaker James Rodriguez. It seemed as if the Colombians had replaced attacking intent and adventure with aggression as the side in yellow were constantly battering the English players.

The referee took an especially hard battering, with it taking minutes for England to take any set pieces they had won. Colombian bickering, pushing and shoving merited a card on several occasions and it speaks to how referee Mark Geiger had lost control, or never had control, of the affair. England and Harry Kane’s goal, his six of the tournament, was born out of yet another penalty. The England captain was grappled and brought to the ground by serial offender Carlos Sanchez and a penalty was awarded. Just like he had done on two other occasions against Panama, the Spurs man stepped up and sent an unstoppable drive into the top corner. England dominated from there on but failed to convert or even create many clear cut opportunities.

The tie looked all sealed up and as Colombia threw on every attacking player at their disposal still ceased to score. Deep in stoppage time, however, a ball was lofted forward and a midfield duel to win a header was lost by the English - the ball dropped and Uribe struck an effort destined for the top corner but Jordan Pickford kept it out incredibly with his stronger hand. The ensuing corner saw a clear header for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina who struck home and shockingly levelled the scores. It looked like match point for the Colombians, and deja vu for the English.

It was evident in extra time how shocked England had been by the goal. They rarely had the ball and Jamie Vardy was wasteful up front, whilst the Colombians sent wave after wave forward to test Pickford and England’s back five who were cramping up. You have to wonder, if James Rodriguez had been there how different the picture may have been.

The second period saw England return to equilibrium as they threatened and stepped it up a gear - Dier went close and they looked like the side who had scored a late goal, as opposed to the Colombians. Nonetheless, after 121’ of intense football, the game went to penalties and England fans sank back into their chairs the world over.

Perennial World Cup penalties bottlers are the English; the failures at Euro 96, Italia 90 and Germany 2006 had given foundation for an unwanted reputation. Plus, Southgate, who had missed a penalty and cost England a place in the tournament in the past, was now in charge. But the English were brilliant. Assured, calm, collected throughout the shootout and when Jordan Henderson missed not a single England player batted an eyelid. Jordan Pickford’s save was remarkable, and Eric Dier’s winning penalty even better: all the talk of hoo-doos, evaporating before the crowd in Moscow at the Spartak Stadium. They were so assured, leaving many to ask the question: Was that really England?

Elsewhere Sweden took on Switzerland in Saint Petersburg for the 55th game of the tournament. Emil Forsberg’s 66’ deflected goal proving enough for the passionate Swedes as they continue their odds-defying conquest into the tournament.