Can England finally dare to dream? The Three Lions are through to the quarter-finals after winning their first-ever World Cup penalty shoot-out – and is fair to say that the English faithful have already decided their 2018 World Cup winner.
England have never had a problem with reaching the final stages of the World Cup, with the Three Lions being knocked out in the group stages in just four of the 14 World Cups they have qualified for.
However, the pressure of the dreaded penalty shoot-out has always seemed to get to them.
In 1990 it was Germany who got the better of them by four goals to three.
Eight years later, Argentina crushed the Three Lions by the same margin.
Another eight years passed and again, England found themselves locked up after extra time, this time in their quarter-final match with Portugal.
And yet again, they had their hearts broken.
This year was different.
Despite conceding a dejecting 93rd-minute goal, England regrouped and held on during extra-time to face their penalty-kick demons once more.
It appeared as if they would be set for yet another disappointing end to their World Cup campaign after Jordan Henderson’s spot kick was saved by Colombian keeper David Ospina.
The old England would have dropped their heads.
However, this was a different team.
They remained composed and Eric Dier’s winning goal sent the Three Lions through to a quarter finals berth against Sweden.
Gareth Southgate’s men did have to overcome adversity during the match, with England fans slamming Colombia a “cheating disgrace” for consecutive fouls conceded by the South Americans.
Particularly controversial was when Henderson fell in the penalty area from what looked like a Wilmar Barrios headbutt.
The Colombian midfielder escaped any serious punishment, only receiving a yellow card, prompting the English faithful to take to social media to vent their frustrations.
It did not cost them the victory though and impassioned England fans see it as a sign that 2018 is their year.
Here is how the world reacted to the stunning win.
Chris Townsend
Guest
I' ll have to agree with what you've said here. My question is why Maradona's opinion is so important when he has no real attachment to this particular match. Does the press go out of its way to get stories like this? As for Maradona himself.....he seems to have always had an exagerrated view of his own importance....a walking ego trip.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Maradona has had years of serious substance abuse and idolisation to addle his brain. If you ever find yourself agreeing or sympathising with him, you have to ask, 'what's my excuse'? Attending the game in a Colombia shirt probably gave him away enough, but just for good measure, we have this sad, sad man unable to understand the personal irony of claiming 'monumental theft' in a world cup game involving England. FIFA has enough image problems without promoting him as an ambassador.
MQ
Guest
Maradona's view on the Eng vs Col game: Maradona launches anti-England rant and calls World Cup victory over Colombia a 'monumental theft' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/07/04/maradona-launches-anti-england-rant-calls-world-cup-victory/
Albo
Guest
Lots of goals scored isn't football ?? Huh ? Each to their own I guess, James ! I always thought the idea of the game was to score goals for your team and stop your opponent from scoring ? The more goals scored the more enjoyment I get from the games I watch , even if errors abound. If you prefer the no risk "parking the bus" stuff and hope to win out in the lucky dip of a penalty shoot out , well good for you ! To me, that's not football !
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Defenders are terrified of Harry Kane and keep rugby tackling him in the box If England are going to win on its about getting penalties just like Johnny Wilkinson kicked them to a rugby World Cup win
MQ
Guest
All good points. One thing worth noting is that a team with the quality of Colombia was willing to sit back for the first 70 minutes or so. They wouldn't choose to do that against a team of mugs. From the English perspective, they were able to keep Colombia pinned back for those first 70 minutes, but here's the rub, as I said on another thread, the England first XI is very good, but the next XI drop off dramatically. By the time Southgate had made his 2nd sub, Colombia were already getting a sniff, and in the end, thoroughly deserved their equaliser. England can make the final with its first XI, but if at any point it needs to rely on two or three of its 2nd XI, I believe they would have little chance of winning the final.
James
Guest
The thing about lots of goals being scored in a game is that it isnt football. Its goals being scored, which means that the managers on both sides had a bad game because he didnt organize their teams right to defend, it means the goalkeepers didnt have a good game, it means the defenders didnt have a good game and it means that the midfield at best was neutral, they helped to score goals but didnt help to defend or keep the ball. In high scoring games the only players who played well are the strikers. If you like that type of thing why not just watch a highlight reel of goals. Absolutely enjoy great goals being scored but if a team allow more than 2 goals against them, especially at a world cup, then it wasnt a great game in a football sense. Because it means most players didnt do their job. I prefer low scoring games over high scoring ones, where the teams play, where all the players play well not just the strikers. In the same way i find games where its just rubbish attacking with great defending boring. You can have a great 0-0 game but you cant have a great 4-4 game in a appreciating football sense. It can be entertaining but if you think about it most players had to play badly to allow the game to happen.
Albo
Guest
England have been average performers at best this WC, but due to their terrific luck of the draw right from the group stage selection, they are now every chance of making it through to the final. I am still hoping for a Croatia v Belgium final where we should at least see some goals scored.
Fadida
Guest
I haven't forgotten that they beat Spain in a penalty shoot out in '96. They then lost one in the semis. They haven't been particularly impressive. Against Colombia they were very average. They played nicely in the back 3rd against a team who sat off them, but lacked any fluency in the final 3rd. Did they have a single shot on target? Hardly the second coming of Spain or Germany.