Columbia finished first in a weak Group H while England finished runner-up in Group G. I'm sure they weren't too broken up about finishing behind Belgium because they got the better (easier) side of the knockout phase draw. Belgium are in the side that still has France, Uruguay, and Brazil. England have Croatia and ........ Well, that's about it. Russia aren't serious contenders and Sweden are lucky to still be around.
Who told Columbia it would be a good idea to play up-tempo and physical with England? No bueno. Why would you match England's and the EPL's style of play when you have your own style of ball possession and finesse? Harry Kane had a chance at 16', but he headed it over the net. Carlos Sánchez was all over Harry Kane and tackled him in the box on a corner kick. Penalty England. Kane converts at 57' and England lead 1-0. At 90+2', Mateus Uribe uncorked a shot from about thirty yards that Jordan Pickford managed to get a hand on for a corner kick. Juan Cuadrado took the corner for Columbia and Yerry Mina got a head onto it and tied the game at 90+3'. Wow! The third goal for defender, Mina. I see some playing time in his future at Barcelona. Danny Rose had a great chance at 112' but put it just across the goal. Time for penalties.
England win 4-3 on penalties.
Columbia - Radamel Falcao (made), Cuadrado (made), Luis Muriel (made), Uribe (post), Carlos Bacca (saved)
England - Kane (made), Marcus Rashford (made), Jordan Henderson (saved), Kieran Trippier (made), Eric Dier (made)
England move on to face Sweden. Again, Columbia decided to get physical and it wasn't their game. If England can get past Sweden and they should, they'll get the Russia v Croatia winner. This is a good England team, but I don't think they're great. They might struggle with Croatia's speed and creativity. Harry Kane keeps on scoring and leads the World Cup with six goals.
