Finally, at 11.52pm local time, the last kick of an epic night, Eric Dier, England’s fifth penalty-taker was running towards a scrum of his team-mates. Colombia’s players were sinking to their knees and England had reminded a global audience that, contrary to the impression they may have given for much of the previous 30 years, they do know how to win a penalty shootout, after all.
It was a euphoric way to go through and these are the moments, surely, when England’s followers can be forgiven for daring to believe something special is building. Yes, it would be tempting fate to get too carried away. But right here, right now, to hell with anyone who insists it is time for restraint. England have arrived in the quarter-finals and the World Cup is suddenly filled with all sorts of new possibilities.
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