England’s journey to the semi-final
When England played the first game of this year’s world cup tournament, not many could predict that they would be playing in a semi-final game. The team has played five games in the tournament, winning four and losing one. Below we take a look at their remarkable journey to the semi-final.
Group stage
Tunisia vs England
Tottenham Hotspur ace Harry Kane got England off to a winning start by scoring a brace. The England striker only needed eleven minutes before scoring but his efforts were rendered null as Tunisia equalized from the spot before halftime. The African outfit held the team for most of the second half before Harry Kane got the winning goal a minute into added-time.
England vs Panama
This time round Gareth Southgate’s men turned up in style. They demolished the Panama team by scoring five before the half. England showed their superiority at set pieces as a John Stones header gave them an early lead. A few minutes later, England’s talisman striker Harry Kane made it a two nothing lead by converting a penalty. Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard curled in a wonder goal to make it three. John Stones and Kane got on the scoresheet to make it five. In the second half, Kane completed his hat-trick to make it six before Panama got a late consolation goal.
England vs Belgium
Both teams fielded second-string sides as they had already qualified for the knockout stages. This game did not possess much in entertainment value. Belgium’s Adnan Januzaj scored a brilliant solo goal which won the match and group for Belgium.
Last 16: Colombia vs England
England made history by winning their first World Cup penalty shootout. Jordan Pickford’s save against Carlos Bacca and Eric Dier’s winning penalty saw England knock Colombia out of the competition. England took the lead through a Kane penalty before Colombia’s Yerry Mina headed home a last-gasp equalizer. This was England’s first win in the knockout stages of a major tournament in twelve years.
Quarter-finals: Sweden vs England
This game has been considered by many as England’s best performance in the tournament. Sweden had kept three clean sheets in four games and sealed Germany’s early exit. Harry Maguire and Dele Alli both headed England’s goals but the man of the moment was Pickford who made a couple of brilliant saves.
Semifinal: England vs Croatia
When England started the tournament, the fans adopted the catchphrase, “It is coming home.” This was in reference to the Lightning Seeds song “The three lion.” England qualified for the semifinal and its supporters now believe that football could genuinely be coming home. This catchphrase has also been interpreted as a reminder that football started in England in the mid-nineteenth century. World Cup hysteria has swept through England as citizens are hopeful that this young English team can bring football back home. The last time England won the world cup was in 1966 when they hosted the tournament.
Football fans are buzzing all across England as they await their biggest match in over two decades. This has led to a small boost in the economy through sales of beer and replica shirts. The England flag is everywhere, on cars and buildings as local stores are running out of waistcoats as fans want to Emulate the coach who rocks the fashion piece.