Sport: Dier hits the spot as England beat Colombia on penalties
● Dier holds his nerve as Southgate’s side win shootout to set up Sweden quarter-final
In a World Cup of surprises, England provided the latest by finally winning a penalty shootout. A long run of penalty misery on football’s biggest stage ended with a 4-3 shootout victory over Colombia in Moscow last night, sending England to the quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years.
Eric Dier scored the decisive kick after a scrappy game ended in a 1-1 draw, denying Colombia a second consecutive trip to the last eight.
“It was a nervous one,” Dier said. “I’ve never really been in a situation like that before.”
England will play Sweden in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Samara. It is the furthest England have progressed in any tournament since the David Beckham era, when a so-called golden generation of players exited the 2002 and 2006 World Cups in the last eight.
England are thriving in Russia after defending champions Germany were eliminated early and Argentina, Portugal and Spain went home in the round of 16. Harry Kane gave England the lead with a penalty kick in the 57th minute. But as the game entered the third minute of stoppage time, Yerry Mina headed in an equaliser.
England trailed 3-2 in the penalty shootout after Jordan Henderson’s shot was saved, but Mateus Uribe hit the bar and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford then saved Carlos Bacca’s kick.
“I did a whole bunch of research,” Pickford said.
“Falcao is the only one who didn’t go his way. I don’t care if I’m not the biggest keeper in the world. I have the power and agility.”
While the focus is nearly always on Neymar’s brilliance and his other antics in Russia, Brazil’s steady progression at the World Cup has solidified their status as favourites to win the tournament.
Germany, their nemesis from four years ago, are gone. So are Lionel Messi and Argentina. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are also out.
But for Brazil, the word favourite – favorito in Portuguese – is taboo.
“We feel confident but not like the favourites because we know that there are other quality teams that have great potential. The favouritism comes from the press and the fans,” winger Willian said. “We want to remain firm in our goal, which is to move step by step and reach the final.”
The five-time champions kicked off the knockout round on Monday night by defeating Mexico 2-0 for their third consecutive clean sheet in Russia. Neymar scored his second goal of the tournament and substitute Roberto Firmino added another late on.
Neymar again grabbed attention for his theatrics after he tangled with Mexico’s Miguel Layun, who stepped on the Paris Saint-germain star’s right ankle. Neymar writhed in apparent agony before popping back up and finishing the match. Brazil now face Belgium in the quarter-finals in Kazan on Friday.
Brazil were second in the Fifa world ranking when they arrived in Russia, but the team opened with a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Since then, Brazil have won three successive games 2-0.
Neymar, who had been recovering in previous months from a broken foot, gave the worldclass performance that everyone hoped for on Monday. He has two goals and an assist in the tournament, giving him six career World Cup goals.
Other players have risen to the occasion, too. In the group stage, Philippe Coutinho had two goals and an assist and has twice been man of the match. Against Mexico, it was Willian who showed flashes of brilliance.
Additionally, the defence has been steady throughout, anchored by captain Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Alisson. The only other team remaining that has conceded fewer goals is Uruguay.
Brazil have allowed just five shots on target at this World Cup, fewest of any team.
Coach tit eh asp utan emphasis on balance since the South American qualifiers, and Brazil were the first team to qualify for Russia and have yet to lose in eight matches this year.
The ultimate goal is to erase some of the disappointment of the last World Cup, when Brazil was embarrassed on home soil by Germany in a 7-1 semifinal defeat. Tite looks as if he has the players to do it.