Sport, World Cup 2018, England Avoided Disaster And Defeat On A 4-3 Penalty Shootout, Colombia Is Out

England Avoided Disaster  And Defeat On A 4-3 Penalty Shootout

England was better for most of the match, and took the lead on a 57th minute Harry Kane goal. Kane converted his third penalty of the match after he was tackled in the box. But just two minutes from time, as England was dreaming of their first quarterfinals appearance since 2006, Yerry Mina struck. The Barcelona defender scored his third header of the World Cup after a 93rd minute corner kick.

Of course it went to penalties. It always goes to penalties.
And of course everyone expected England to lose. Because England always loses when it goes to penalties.

It has become something of a theme. Or a curse. 1990. 1996. 1998. 2004. 2006. 2012. Six major tournaments in two decades, and England, brimming with high hopes and big-name players, going out in the cruelest possible way. 

But this a new England, they say. 
A young team with smiles on their faces and a spring in their step and the belief that it doesn’t always have to be the way it has always been.
And this England does not lose on penalties. At least it did not on Tuesday night, outlasting a game and rugged Colombia, 4-3, in a shootout after the teams played to a 1-1 tie.

Midfielder Eric Dier delivered the final blow, slamming his attempt into the lower left corner under goalkeeper David Ospina after Colombia’s final two attempts stayed out. England’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, had set the stage by pawing away Carlos Bacca’s fifth attempt for Colombia with a dive to his right