Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AFTER EXTRA TIME SOUTHGATE’S LIONS WIN DO-OR-DIER SHOOT-OUT
Cool as a cucumber Eric fires England through to last eight in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against snarling Colombians
FINALLY the wait is over for England. And with it, they banished the ghosts of previous failures.
England finally winning a penalty shoot-out and a knock-out match at a World Cup.
Somehow they did it, they survived every emotion going and then up stepped Eric Dier to fire home England’s fifth penalty.
It was a torturous night in Moscow but it ended wonderfully for them as they celebrated wildly after 120 painful minutes when they thought they had blown it – and then won it.
From the heartbreak of conceding an injury-time equaliser, the nerves of penalties and then breaking the spot-kick curse. England’s first knockout win in 12 years has given Gareth Southgate the chance of a lifetime at this World Cup.
Now they face Sweden in Samara on Saturday and, if they can get past that test, they take on Russia or Croatia in the semi-finals.
Yes, that is getting carried away but surely they are allowed to on the night that England won a penalty shoot-out, only their second in eight attempts.
Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Kieran Trippier and then Dier were the heroes from the spot but England keeper Jordan Pickford (left) also defied Carlos Bacca with a terrific save while Mateus Uribe missed.
Jordan Henderson’s spot-kick was saved by David Ospina but Pickford spared him.
No wonder Southgate, still looking elegant in his waistcoat, raced to his players to celebrate as, after all, England are not supposed to do this.
Instead, now if the Three Lions can win on penalties – then anything is possible?
Colombia’s players were left in tears but England’s could not contain their joy and, defying their aching limbs, they made their way to the travelling army of fans.
They will have celebrated long into the night in Moscow because to emerge from such a bruising encounter, in which Colombia tried to kick them off the pitch, shows true mental strength.
From the disaster of losing to Iceland in Euro 2016 when they crumbled, they now have a determination and inner strength which will allow them to dream.
It was an incredible game, one full of controversy and a US referee Mark Geiger who failed to control a spiky game which was more wrestling than football match.
The biggest flashpoint of the first half came after 40 minutes and Colombia should have had defender Wilmar Barrios sent off.
How he escaped with a yellow card rather than a red for headbutting Henderson is a mystery and yet another failing for VAR.
The referee was also simply not up to keeping control of what was rapidly becoming a bad blooded, nasty and snarling fight.
And Geiger was stinking the place out as he lost control.
But, finally, he managed to spot something at a set-piece. Mind you, it was right in front of him.
Over came an England corner, Carlos Sanchez blatantly upended Kane at the back post, pulled him