Sterling kept cool against hot-headed Colombia
RAHEEM Sterling exemplified England’s ability to stay calm in the face of provocation against Colombia, a quality he feels was vital in carrying the Three Lions to the last eight of the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s side had to endure 120 minutes of ill-temper, gamesmanship and mind games from the South Americans.
Colombia turned every corner into a drama, attempted to physically block England taking set-pieces and took things up a notch when Wilmar Barrios butted Jordan Henderson.
City ace Sterling was also on the receiving end of some harsh treatment, not least when Colombia’s fitness coach Eduardo Julio Urtasun appeared to barge the England winger with his shoulder as he headed for the tunnel at half-time.
“I just remember running in and someone stepped in front of me,” he said. “There were a couple of times when I went over for a drinks break and he kept saying something. Obviously I don’t speak Spanish so I didn’t understand.
“But we knew their game plan and exactly what they were trying to do.
“We knew what would get thrown at us and that was kind of silly from him. We just keep going, black that out and focus on the football. They’re a physical team. They were trying to do everything they could to get into our heads but we kept cool heads and that’s the most important thing.
“It’s up to the ref to clamp down on it and we can’t really get involved in it.”
Sterling suggested he would not be seeking any further action against the coach, content simply to leave Spartak Stadium with a victory.