England beat Colombia on penalties to reach last eight

England beat Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout after drawing their World Cup last-16 clash 1-1 following extra time after the South Americans equalised in the 93rd minute.

England had previously lost all three World Cup shootouts but this time the final penalty taken by Eric Dier won the game for England

It was the first time Colombia had been involved in a World Cup shootout and they looked favourites when Jordan Henderson missed his spot kick – but for once fortune smiled on England.

Earlier Harry Kane smashed in a 57th-minute penalty, his sixth goal of the tournament, and England looked to be through until Yerry Mina headed an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was England’s first win in a knockout game since 2006 and earns them a quarter-final with Sweden, who beat Switzerland 1-0 earlier during the day Tuesday.

Colombia started off well as it took England time to settle with both teams  erratic with plenty of fouls and disputes with the referee and eight bookings six Colombian and two for England.

England were always the more purposeful side but they lacked the key final ball and needed a gift to take the lead.

The South Americans had been getting away with blatant holding and wrestling at each of England’s many corners and the referee’s patience finally snapped when Carlos Sanchez hauled down tournament leading scorer Kane once too often.

After four minutes of arguing by the Colombians,Kane kept his cool and smashed in his third spot kick of Russia 2018.

When Juan Cuadrado blazed horribly over the bar with the goal gaping 10 minutes from time with Colombia’s first chance of the match it looked all over for them.

England keeper Jordan Pickford made a superb save to touch wide a furious long shot by Uribe but from the following corner – Colombia’s first of the match – giant defender Mina rose highest to head in the equaliser and send the massed Colombian fans into a frenzy.

England substitute Dier missed the best chance of the extra period when he headed over the bar but he made up for it in emphatic fashion with the winning penalty in the shootout.

England will now play Sweden in the quarter final who earlier in the day beat Switzerland 1-0 with a goal from
a deflected shot from Emil Forsberg sending the Swedes through to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.