Russia 2018 : England reach World Cup quarter finals

England players celebrate after Eric Dier scored the winning penalty in the nation’s first shoot-out victory at a World Cup

England have recorded their first World Cup shoot-out win. The victory, over Colombia in Russia, thus marks a tournament turnaround for the Three Lions, whose penalty misses over the past 30 years have become legendary.




Eric Dier made sure of the Three Lions’ place in the quarter finals after Jordan Pickford had saved a Colombian penalty.

This was particularly interesting for Gareth Southgate, the manager, who missed a penalty for England against Germany in the semi-final of Euro ’96.

A towering header from Mina in the third minute of injury time had taken the game into extra time amid wild cheering and dancing from Colombians in the stands. 30 minutes of extra time failed to produce a breakthrough. However, England supporters roared in happiness and relief as Dier planted the winning penalty past Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina to win the shootout 4-3. This was after Pickford pulled off a spectacular save against Carlos Bacca.