England’s disastrous penalty shootout record at major tournaments finally came to an end on Matchday 19 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Sweden won their European derby.
Sweden became the seventh team to book their place in the quarter-finals of the global tournament in Russia. The Blue-Yellow of Sweden locked horns with their European rivals Switzerland in the first match of day, played at the Krestovsky Stadium in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.
Emil Peter Fosberg proved to be the hero for the Swedes, as the RB Leipizig attacking midfielder scored the only goal of the match in the 66th minute which saw Sweden secure a 1-0 win over Switzerland’s Die Nati.
As a result, Sweden, who finished second in the 1958 World Cup as tournament hosts, advanced to the quarter-finals, while Switzerland bowed out of the competition after recording their first defeat in Russia.
The second game of the day featured South American side Colombia and European giants England at the Spartak Stadium in the capital city of Russia, Moscow.
England’s Three Lions broke the deadlock through their captain and star forward Harry Kane, who scored from the penalty spot-kick three minutes before the hour mark. However, Yerry Mina had other ideas, as the towering defender scored with a good header to make it 1-1 for the Coffee Growers of Colombia in stoppage time, and the match ended in a draw in regulation time, followed by extra time.
England, who were last winners of the World Cup in 1966, kept their cool and won 4-3 on penalties, booking their place in the quarter finals, while Colombia crashed out of the competition.
The current tournament top goalscorer Kane, who has now netted six goals, will have a chance to add to his tally when England take on Sweden in a quarter-final match at the Cosmos Arena in Samara on Saturday.
