In an extract from his new book on Russia 2018, the Guardian’s senior sports writer relives how Eric Dier’s penalty helped fashion ‘a triumph of personality, spirit and good sense’
Mateus Uribe just needs to score and they’re almost there. One more kick to put Colombia 4–2 up, with every penalty after that a bullet for sudden death. Uribe walks from the centre-circle with an unavoidable swagger, product of those bulging thighs. He glances down at the tattoo sleeve on his left arm as he reaches the spot. It has been a meandering journey to this stage for Uribe, a childhood friend of James Rodríguez in Medellín and a late-bloomer as a powerful central midfielder. He plays in Mexico these days, and made his name with a commanding game against France in March when he ran N’Golo Kanté into the ground in the second half. Uribe pauses for a moment, then runs up and smacks the ball hard with the outside of his foot. It’s miles out of Jordan Pickford’s reach, so much so that even in that millisecond he’s given it up, letting his hand reach down. But this is also an arrogant kick, hit with an unnecessary, careless power. The ball seems to gain height in the last few feet. It hits the crossbar with a lovely smacking sound and flies away into the Moscow night. Uribe covers his face.
Kieran Trippier follows him quickly, marching up in a straight line and spotting the ball. He’s not going to miss. Everything about the moment tells you this. And it’s a beautiful penalty, struck with the instep high and across Ospina into the top corner. Trippier walks back straight away, a single fist clenched. England are level.
Written by Barney Ronay
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/02/the-day-england-created-their-own-history-in-shoot-out-against-colombia-barney-ronay under the title “The day England created their own history in shoot-out against Colombia | Barney Ronay”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
