FIFA World Cup 2018: England wins battle of penalties to enter quarter finals
In a game of tantalising turns, England won a battle of penalties against Colombia to secure itself the eighth and last berth in quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2018 on Tuesday.
Leading 1-0 till end of stipulated period, England was surprised by Colombia with a brilliant goal in the third minute of injury time to take the battle to extra time.Since the two teams could not break the 1-1 deadlock at the end of 120 minutes of regulation period and the consequential injury time, the battle of penalties was called.
Two brilliant saves by Pickford gave England the required one goal difference in the penalties to see them through to the quarter-finals where it will face Sweden. In penalties England won 4-3 after 1-1 draw.
Harry Kane, who took his individual tally of goals to six with a penalty conversion in the 59th minute had given the England lead. The one goal advantage was sustained by England till third minute of injury time when Yerry Mina, towering over everyone in a crowded penalty box headed the ball down. It bounced and English defender Kieran Tippier could not keep the ball out.
It was Yerry Mina's third header goal in the current World Cup. He thus becomes first player to score three goals from headers since Mirsalov Klose
scored five in the 2002 World Cup.
Colombia had every reason to be disappointed at the outcome as the South Americans fought gallantly in a game that witnessed protests, rough play and disputed decisions. But once the battle was taken to penalties, it was all over as Falcano, Juan Cuadrado, Luis Muriel scored for Columbia. Harry Kane, Marcos Rushford, Kirien Tippier and Eric Dier scored for England to make the score 4-3 for the three lions.
South America lost to Europe in the last battle of the round of 16.
