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.
England can win the World Cup.
It's time to start believing.
These players have balls of steel.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 3, 2018
England were awful and still the better team after 90 mins. I can't write what I think about Columbia, I'd be banned from Twitter. #ThreeLions #FifaWorldCup2018
— Lloyd Cole (@Lloyd_Cole) July 3, 2018
England fans thinking they’re winning the world cup after two wins against Panama and Tunisia, loss to Belgium and a draw with Colombia without James Rodriguez
— Youssef El Hadidy (@youssefelhadidy) July 3, 2018
Just to confirm In case anyone missed it. England are gonna win the World Cup.
— It’s coming home (@robbeckettcomic) July 3, 2018
If England win the World Cup we won't have a rest. Premier League commentary will be like:
"World Cup winner Jordan Henderson wins the tackle""Eric Dier who won the World Cup passes the ball forward"
"Young World cup winner Rashford makes a run behind the defense"#COLENG
— CECIL?? (@CecilProdigy) July 3, 2018
England have won the penalty shoot out in the World Cup for the first time.
Definitely gonna win it.
It’s coming home.
— Pangeran ⚜ (@pangeransiahaan) July 3, 2018
1990: England lose on penalties
1998: England lose on penalties
2006: England lose on penalties
2018: England win on penaltiesHuge. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Gt8KMeCWBL
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) July 3, 2018
I'm buzzing. Watching England win on penalties in a world cup? Never thought I'd see the day. And Colombia – that's the payment you get for playing filthy, you dirty cheaters. Jog on. #ENGCOL
— Simon Clark (@simonoxfphys) July 3, 2018
#COLENG
8 out of 10 England fans think they will win the world cup. The remaining two are not drunk yet.— John de Minister Of Corruption Ke? (@MwendaMkenya) July 3, 2018
That wasn’t just a win for England, that was a win for football. Colombia were an absolute disgrace.#WorldCup
— CPFC HQ (@CPFCHQ) July 3, 2018
In case you missed it, here's the reaction to that nail biting #ENGCOL penalty shoot-out from Leeds (because time passes faster with a montage) @England pic.twitter.com/tHMA4KDAAl
— Rich McCarthy (@VJRichMcCarthy) July 3, 2018
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