England fans dare to dream

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate says his team has reconnected with the fans, as hopes rise of just a second World Cup final appearance for the perennial underachievers.

Their opponents tomorrow, Colombia, are another team that have buckled under the weight of expectation, although they’re sweating on the fitness of one man who hasn’t.

Golden boy James Rodriguez, Colombia’s new superstar, limped off 30 minutes into their final group game against Senegal with a persistent calf problem.

Juan Quintero, whose career was doomed after accusations of a shoddy work ethic and excess kilos, has shown glimpses of magic in Russia and must step up in the absence of Rogriguez, who appears likely to start on the bench.

Golden boot leader Harry Kane headlines a host of inclu- sions for England after Southgate made changes for the final group game, as did Belgium, with both teams evidently preferring to finish second.

The Belgium loss has paved a path to the final with no previous World Cup winners in their path – Sweden or Switzerland await in the quarterfinals, and Croatia or Russia in the semis.

Southgate was keeping a level head leading into the Moscow clash.

“The players have been able to change perceptions of how an England team might play,” Southgate said. “Ten months ago people were throwing paper aeroplanes on to the pitch at Wembley.

“We’ve started to connect the team with the public again, created excitement like we’ve played in a style that has really shown an expression of what young English players are capable of. I want us to continue doing that.”