WARNING: This is not a joke!

It has finally happened: England have won a World Cup penalty shoot-out for the first time in their history!This was an historic evening as Gareth Southgate’s England side dug in deep to progress in heroic style and the Three Lions now face a well drilled Swedish side on Saturday in their first quarter-final appearance since 2006.It was a gruelling 90 minutes for the English as they faced what John Stones called “the dirtiest side” that he has ever faced. From Wilmar Barrios throwing his head into Henderson’s chin, scuffing up the penalty spot and the constant moaning, Colombia deserved to feel the sting of penalty defeat.It was a mature, dogged fight to the end and a performance that has to have impressed even the harshest of English skeptics. Jordan Pickford was sublime tipping a 30 yard rocket wide right at the death and punching the match saving penalty clear. Rashford, Trippier, and of course, Eric Dier, all slotting penalties past a stranded Ospina to bring football one step closer to coming home.

Southgate Sets Sights on Sweden

Victory against Sweden on Saturday would see England in the semi-final of a major tournament for the first time since 1990 but should we start celebrating an easy win? You would be a fool to!England have only beaten Sweden twice in their last 15 meetings and Zlatan tore England a new one back in 2012 scoring four goals, including a lucrative bicycle kick, in Stockholm.Sweden finished ahead of the Netherlands in qualifying, beat Italy in the play-offs to book their flights to Russia and topped a group that looked to spell a very short stay in Russia but this Sweden side is well drilled and has vats of experience.Gareth Southgate’s “one game at a time” mentality is commendable (I have written before of his impact on the success of this England team.)”We have huge respect for Sweden. They are a team that I think in the past have been underestimated – we won’t make that mistake.””Our players come from the same background as their players. We shouldn’t get carried away with ourselves being better than Sweden. They are older, more experienced, and have a better tournament record than us.”Words of wisdom right there. You don’t find yourself in the quarterfinals of the biggest competition in football by accident. Both teams deserve to be where they are- regardless of what Maradona has to say on it.There is no doubt that both teams have a deep desire and belief that they can progress to the next round. Sweden are a rigid team and they will be giving nothing away. England may be forced to play the long game, an approach that manager Southgate has instilled in this England side.I am biased. There is no hiding it (my apologies Swedes) but I really believe that the Three Lions can do it! Their youth, although used as a criticism, could be their biggest strength this weekend and they will rely on runs from Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard and Raheem Sterling to pull the Swedish defence out and free up golden boot contender Harry Kane.Let’s go boys! Bring football home!Jamie

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

As Group G favourites, Belgium, set out their statement of intent with the 5-2 thumping of Tunisia on Saturday, hushed whispers turned to bold statements: “this is the team to beat.”

Then comes the morning after the night before. The Three Lions went up against an undisciplined Panama side who had been swept aside by Belgium just days before. It took the Englishmen 8 minutes to score and they cruised into the break 5-0, all but victors.

It was simply exquisite from Gareth Southgate’s men. The win smashing records left right and center: it was England’s biggest ever victory at a World Cup. After 2 games, this is already their joint second-highest goalscoring World Cup campaign- the only time they scored more was when they lifted the trophy in 1966!

Moreover, they are only the fifth team in World Cup history to score 5 goals before half time and this is England’s joint best start to a World Cup along with their appearances at Spain 1982 and Germany 2006.

Something’s Different

There is a wind in the sails and an unprecedented excitement about this England side. From inflatable unicorn races in the team pool at their training facility to Jesse Lingard juggling on the sideline as the game drew to an end, there is just something different this year.

Let’s not forget that this is a team under immense scrutiny, a side that has the sizeable task of winning the hearts of a nation back after a downward spiral over the course of the last 8 years.

South Africa 2010 marked the beginning of the descent, crashing out 4-1 to Germany in the round of 16. Four year later, the Three Lions were kept firmly in their cages as they failed to get out of their group at Brazil 2014 followed just two years later by a disastrous night in France as the Englishmen were sent back across the Channel by Iceland.

What has brought such a noticeable shift in the attitudes and performances of an underachieving England side? My answer: Gareth Southgate.

I have written before of my skepticism of his appointment. I wasn’t convinced he had it in him. “Great.” I jeered, “more of the same.” But I cannot attribute such a drastic change to anyone, or anything, other than the Gaffer.

He has instilled an unprecedented confidence and belief in his players and given them a freedom to perform at the level we are so used to seeing week in, week out. More than the players he has around him, he is turning disillusioned hearts into passionate believers.

With many countrymen still hurting from a past of heartbreak and disappointment, Gareth Southgate has provided what no English manager has been able to in over a decade: belief.

More Than A One Trick Pony

In addition, I would argue that there is a sincere belief that a goal can come from anywhere.

We have seen how the likes of Messi, Neymar and even Ronaldo have been hunted in packs and taken out of a game completely and with Harry Kane becoming only the third England player to score a hat trick at a World Cup and the first player since 1974 to score more than once in the opening two games, the same just doesn’t look likely for England.

Kane has scored 5 goals in 2 games but two goals from centre back John Stones, a worldy from Jesse Lingard not to mention the chaos runs around the back and balls over the top have caused. You take one player out and another takes his place. They are somewhat unmarkable.

I add a word of caution: the same is also true of Belgium. The fluidity of that Lukaku/Hazard/Mertens trio is scary proven by their collective 7 goals in 2 games. The two sides are almost identical in ability and belief.

The real test of both sides will be on Thursday when they meet each other for the group decider. We have no need to be convinced of either side’s attacking ability scoring a combined 16 goals but neither side has faced any real defensive threat and how each side handles the challenge will give a significant look into either the frailty or ability of their all-roundedness.

This Three Lions side is the first to live up to its name playing with a passion, belief and enjoyment that has not been seen since Germany ‘06 and I have every faith that they are going to bring it home!

Jamie

O Captain! My Captain!

FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME!

What would England in a World Cup be if somebody didn’t utter those infamous three words? Do I really believe it? That’s something else but the fact of the matter is a young, dogged England side got their campaign up and running with a 2-1 victory over Tunisia.

Age Is Just A Number

The England gaffer’s squad selection was one of the most controversial of the campaign, second only to the exclusion of Germany’s Leroy Sane, selecting the youngest team at the tournament at 26 years old (average age) and an average of only 20 international appearances between them!

Despite being the youngest team at the tournament, they are by no means inexperienced. Full back Trent Alexander-Arnold is a shining example with the Liverpool player finishing his season with a Champions League Final at just 19 years old.

Skipper Harry Kane was undoubtedly the star of the show on his World Cup debut. Off the back of a career best season with 30 Premier League goals, the number 9 was there to put two past a sloppy Tunisian defense.

Every set piece looked like it was going to be a goal with Kane tapping in a rebound from a corner after 10 minutes and burying Harry Maguire’s flick on with just 2 minutes left to give Southgate’s men the 3 points they deserved.

The scoreline was, in every sense of the word, flattering to Tunisia with their converted penalty kick at the half hour mark their only shot on target the whole game. The African side set up camp in their own half for the remainder of the game reflected with England’s 61% possession.

BBC Sport

It was a fantastic warm up performance with the Brits facing World Cup newbies Panama on Sunday before what will surely be the group decider against Belgium on June 28th.

Is Football Really Coming Home?

Short answer? I doubt it.

It was an extremely impressive performance today and the stats back that up. England scored more than once for the first time in 10 World Cup matches since a 2-2 vs. Sweden 2006.

Moreover, they had six shots on target in the first half, their most in the opening 45 minutes of a World Cup match since the 1966 semi-final against Portugal. The same year they went on to lift the trophy!

Then look at personal performances: Kieran Trippier created six goalscoring opportunities, more than any other player has managed in the tournament.

That man again, Harry Kane, has now scored in each of his last four appearances and a total of 15 in just 25 appearances. Gary Lineker being the only other player in English history to score more in as many games.

The figures are favourable but they cannot afford to make the same mistakes against tougher opponents or they will be punished! Loose passes gave possession away very cheaply and they cannot rely solely on Kane to win games.

I still cannot fathom how Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford were not on the scoresheet and today marked 984 days since Raheem Sterling’s last goal for England. A figure that he will need to sort out soon!

Oh and there’s the small task of possibly facing two of either Belgium, Brazil or Germany.

If Gareth Southgate’s side can iron out some small creases, there is no reason why they cannot have a good run in the tournament. I am an England fan. I am proud to be British. More than that however, I am a realist and I cannot allow my mind to picture an open top bus driving through the streets of London as football makes its way home.

Or can I…?