England deserve to win shootout: Southgate

AFP, MOSCOW: England manager Gareth Southgate said his team got the reward they deserved after edging Colombia 4-3 in a gut-wrenching World Cup penalty shootout to set up a quarter-final clash against Sweden.

England looked to be heading into the last eight courtesy of Harry’s 57th-minute penalty in Moscow, but the towering Yerry Mina headed in a stoppage-time equaliser before a match littered with fouls went to a shootout.

Colombian keeper David Ospina saved Jordan Henderson’s effort, but Jordan Pickford turned away Carlos Bacca’s attempt after Manuel Uribe hit the bar. It was left to Eric Dier to convert the decisive kick.

It was just the second time in eight occasions England have won a shootout at a major tournament, and the first time ever in the World Cup. “We had a cruel blow on 90 minutes which we had to show incredible resilience to come back from,” said a relieved Southgate, whose own penalty miss cost England in the semi-finals against Germany at Euro ‘96.

“It was a night when I knew we were going to get over the line. We had the belief and the resilience to get over the line.”

Southgate has challenged his players to write their own history after England’s poor recent results at finals.

England had lost five successive shootouts before luck finally smiled on them at the compact Spartak Stadium.

“Tonight was a classic example. They don’t have to conform to what’s gone before,” Southgate said.

“Today is a special moment for this team. Hopefully it will give belief to the generations of players that follow. In life you always have to believe what is possible and not be hindered by history or expectations.”

He reserved special praise for Pickford, who made a magnificent save to keep out a spectacular strike from Uribe before a vital stop in the shootout.

Pickford was criticised after conceding Adnan Januzaj’s winner in the group-stage loss to Belgium, including by his Belgian counterpart Thibaut Courtois, who said he was too small.

“It was a top-class save, I’m surprised he could reach it given his height,” Southgate said with a wry smile.

“He’s really athletic around the goal, he is excellent and he executed the plan in the penalty shootout.

“We’d studied all of their penalty takers and great credit to our collective of staff and to him for taking on board that information and preparing in the right way.

“You don’t always get what you deserve in life but tonight I think we did.”

England will have just three days to recover before facing Sweden in Samara on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.

England deserve to win shootout: Southgate

AFP, MOSCOW: England manager Gareth Southgate said his team got the reward they deserved after edging Colombia 4-3 in a gut-wrenching World Cup penalty shootout to set up a quarter-final clash against Sweden. England looked to be heading into the last eight courtesy of Harrys 57th-minute penalty in Moscow, but the towering Yerry Mina headed in a stoppage-time equaliser before a match littered with fouls went to a shootout. Colombian keeper David Ospina saved Jordan Hendersons effort, but Jordan Pickford turned away Carlos Baccas attempt after Manuel Uribe hit the bar. It was left to Eric Dier to convert the decisive kick. It was just the second time in eight occasions England have won a shootout at a major tournament, and the first time ever in the World Cup. We had a cruel blow on 90 minutes which we had to show incredible resilience to come back from, said a relieved Southgate, whose own penalty miss cost England in the semi-finals against Germany at Euro 96. It was a night when I knew we were going to get over the line. We had the belief and the resilience to get over the line. Southgate has challenged his players to write their own history after Englands poor recent results at finals. England had lost five successive shootouts before luck finally smiled on them at the compact Spartak Stadium. Tonight was a classic example. They dont have to conform to whats gone before, Southgate said. Today is a special moment for this team. Hopefully it will give belief to the generations of players that follow. In life you always have to believe what is possible and not be hindered by history or expectations. He reserved special praise for Pickford, who made a magnificent save to keep out a spectacular strike from Uribe before a vital stop in the shootout. Pickford was criticised after conceding Adnan Januzajs winner in the group-stage loss to Belgium, including by his Belgian counterpart Thibaut Courtois, who said he was too small. It was a top-class save, Im surprised he could reach it given his height, Southgate said with a wry smile. Hes really athletic around the goal, he is excellent and he executed the plan in the penalty shootout. Wed studied all of their penalty takers and great credit to our collective of staff and to him for taking on board that information and preparing in the right way. You dont always get what you deserve in life but tonight I think we did. England will have just three days to recover before facing Sweden in Samara on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.