Rejuvenated young Lions ready for the kill

KEEP GOING England look to continue with their attacking style when they square off against Colombia in round of 16

Harry Kane’s confidence is so high that he proclaimed, on the eve of their round of 16 clash against Colombia, that he can score every time he sets foot on the pitch in Russia.

Kane leads the race for the Golden Boot with five goals and while his strikes have come against weaker teams like Tunisia and Panama, manager Gareth Southgate will hope that he stays true to his words in the round of 16 match. Having secured qualification for the knockout phase after just two games each, Belgium and England found themselves in an intriguing tussle — both wanted to finish second in the group, for, in theory, a runners-up spot provided an "easier" route to the final. And so, while Belgium's 1-0 win set them on the path for a potential quarterfinal clash with Brazil, Whenever England play a knockout game, the conversation inevitably turns to the team's dismal record in penalty shootouts.

England have been eliminated England haven’t won a knockout match at a major tournament since beating Ecuador in the round of 16 at 2006 World Cup.

2006

Lost to Portugal 1-3 in shootout in the quarterfinals.

2010

Lost 1-4 to Germany in round of 16.

2016

Lost to Iceland 1-2 in the round of 16.

A 3-0 win over Poland was followed by a tight 1-0 victory over the African side. Jose Pekerman’s team, however, received a blow in that game with James Rodriguez departing with a calf strain 30 minutes into the game.

Pekerman had expressed concern over Rodriguez’s injury but Southgate’s (in pic) England looked ahead to a last-eight encounter with either Sweden or Switzerland, if they go past Colombia. For some, it may look like mission accomplished, maximising their chances of going all the way in the competition, but we have to see whether the gamble works out. on penalties at three World Cups — the most for any team — and three European Championships, and have won only one competitive shootout, back in 1996 against Spain.

Euro

KANE SO FAR

Matches: Minutes: Total shots: On target: Goals: subsequent reports in the Colombian press have indicated that it may not be as bad as was initially feared. The Bayern Munich midfielder will be expected to feature in the game at some point. Even if he doesn’t start, Colombia have enough firepower to topple England. HARRY KANE, England striker

Juan Quintero will be main creative force in the side in case Rodriguez doesn’t recover in time while Juan Cuadrado and Radamel Falcao will both be potent threats to the English backline.

Both Cuadrado and Falcao had frustrating spells in England earlier in their career but have thrived elsewhere.

The duo may have a point to prove when they take to the field on Tuesday evening.

On the other hand, Colombia have a more than capable centreback pairing of Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez who is a club teammate of Kane at Tottenham

Hotspur. However, Pekerman’s side will be a bit wary of England’s pace and ability on the flanks.

As the coach summed up after the Senegal clash, the knockout games will be ‘completely full-on, to the death matches’. Colombia will be up for the fight. Venue: Spartak Stadium, Moscow Capacity: 46,360