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England trumps penalty shootout curse to win hard-fought battle with Colombia

Clive Rose / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Eric Dier struck the decisive penalty kick for England's first-ever shootout victory at a World Cup on Tuesday, sending Colombia home at the round of 16 stage.

England will face Sweden in Saturday's quarter-final in Samara.

Harry Kane put the Three Lions ahead in a fiercely fought encounter when he converted from 12 yards after Carlos Sanchez was adjudged to have bundled the England captain over in the box. He sent David Ospina the wrong way with his 57th-minute penalty.

Then, deep into injury time, Yerry Mina rose to meet a corner and nod a late equaliser to take the match into extra time. It looked like England was doing England things.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate's side seemed to have lost balance following two substitutions late in normal time and Mina's header, and was second best for large chunks of the additional half an hour. However, Dier could've established himself as the hero earlier on when he somehow sent a free header wide.

The penalty shootout was high on quality. Radamel Falcao, Kane, Juan Cuadrado, Marcus Rashford, and Luis Muriel all netted before Jordan Henderson, who played keepie-uppies as he approached the spot, was thwarted by a superb Ospina save.

Then Colombia's Mateus Uribe smashed his penalty against the crossbar, allowing Kieran Trippier to level the shootout 3-3. In the final round of spot kicks, Jordan Pickford excellently swatted away a Carlos Bacca penalty, giving Dier the chance to send England into the quarter-finals. His effort went in via Ospina's palm.

The Three Lions are through to the last eight for the first time since 2006. Is it coming home?

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