By: Akpesiri Akatugba
The Three Lions of England beat Colombia to end a run of five consecutive shoot – out defeats at major competitions to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane fired England into the lead from the spot scoring his 6th goal of the competition. It looked like the English would hold on to the lead until Yerry Mina produced another late goal at this World Cup with a 93rd minute header. It was Mina’s 3rd goal in a row.
The two sides couldn’t find a breakthrough in extra – time, so the game went to the shoot – out.
David Ospina saved Jordan Henderson’s 3rd penalty for England, but Uribe hit the crossbar before Pickford saved Carlos Bacca’s spot kick. Eric Dier scored the winning spot kick as England won only their second spot kick in eight penalty shoot – outs. “To get knocked down at the end like we did with that goal in extra time, you know it’s difficult to come back from that. But we did,” Dier said.
England will now face Sweden in the quarter – finals.