Gareth Southgate insists he knew England would beat Colombia

Gareth Southgate insists he knew England would get over the line during a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Colombia.

After a 1-1 draw on the night in Moscow, England prevailed 4-3 on penalties, their first shootout win in World Cup history following decades of falling short.

They were ahead in the game thanks to Harry Kane's second-half penalty, and though Yerry Mina's 93rd-minute leveller brought about a feeling of deja vu, England manager Southgate insists he always knew they would come through.

As it happened
England beat Colombia on pens

"It was a night where I knew we'd get over the line. We had the resilience and the belief to get over the line, whatever it takes.

"We had total belief in what we were doing, right through to the end. Even when our first penalty was saved, I've seen enough shootouts where the first penalty missed isn't the key one.

"I'm proud of the way my team played. I thought we controlled the game in the 90 minutes, played with great discipline, we were very composed with the ball and in a big game that was impressive from a young group of players.

"It's a special night for everybody involved."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England had to deal with some rough tactics from Colombia, who gave away 23 fouls to England's 13, and Southgate admitted the scene in the dressing room resembled a scene from M*A*S*H, the 1970s American comedy-drama about an army hospital.

"It's like a scene from MASH in the dressing room. Some just cramp, and some need just a little bit more assessment, so we'll know more over the next 36 hours.

"I thought there were many, many fouls in the game and I don't think we conceded anywhere near the number of our opponents.

"I'm proud of the discipline. We kept our composure in a really difficult environment and we deserved to win."

Colombia manager Jose Pekerman believes England should be punished in future rounds for going down easily, and Southgate did suggest his side are getting smarter, with many decisions now going to VAR.

"Maybe we are getting a bit smarter. Maybe we are now playing some of our game by the rules the rest of the world are playing.

"I think we also kept our dignity, kept our sportsmanship and if we went down it's because we were fouled."

England have beaten Sweden just twice in their last 15 meetings, and Southgate did not hide the fact he is wary of their last-eight opponents, who saw off Switzerland earlier on Tuesday.

"Sweden are a team I respect hugely. We've not got a good record against them, we've always underestimated them, they have good players and a clear way of playing, and it's bloody difficult to play against.

"And they are greater than the sum of their parts more often than not. That is a hugely difficult game for us. At the moment we are high as a kite, having to recover, getting back to Repino at six in the morning, but what a great game for us to be in."

Finally, speaking of his own experience of a penalty shootout defeat by Germany at Euro 1996, Southgate said he'll never get the disappointment of missing off his back, but Tuesday's win remains special.

"It will never be off my back, sadly. It's something that will live with me forever. But today is a special moment for this team and hopefully will give belief to the generations of players that follow because they can see what is possible.

"In life we always have to believe in what is possible and not be hindered by history or the expectations."

Fantasy Six-a-Side

Pick your dream team for England v Colombia to win the guaranteed £1k jackpot.