Gareth’s lucky losers

gave everything. We have seen the level everyone has been playing at and we need to keep improving.

“We kept pressing until the end but I think the supporters understand what the most important thing is.”

Striker Jamie Vardy said: “The performance was good and we created chances but it wasn’t to be.

“The target was to qualify from the group and we have done that.

“Now we look forward to Colombia. We will do our research and make sure we are aware of all their threats.”

Liverpool teenager Trent AlexanderArnold insisted England had not planned to finish runners-up, saying: “We weren’t focused on any of that before the game.

“Everyone is disappointed now. You don’t want to see smiles in the changing room. You want to win every game.

“Everyone who is in the last 16 deserves to be there. They are all tough teams.

“Colombia did unbelievably well in the last World Cup and they have already shown this year they can bounce back from defeats, so it won’t be easy.”

The Three Lions’ record against Colombia is excellent, however.

They are undefeated in five previous meetings, winning three times and drawing twice.

The two teams met in the 1998 World Cup in France when David Beckham scored with a free-kick.

Their last clash was a friendly in Chicago seven years later when Kieran Richardson scored twice.