Sunday 24 June 2018, 16:29

Lions roar as Colombia cruise

  • England and Belgium through, Panama, Poland and Tunisia out

  • Senegal, Colombia and Japan chasing the qualification slots in Group H

  • ENG 6-1 PAN | JPN 2-2 SEN | POL 0-3 COL

DAY REPLAYED - England decided the fate of all four teams in Group G of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ at a stroke. Their 6-1 win over Panama took them into the Round of 16 along with Belgium, while sending the Panamanians and Tunisia out of the tournament.

A John Stones brace, a Harry Kane double and a stunning Jesse Lingard strike into the top corner secured the points for the English before the break. Kane’s third of the afternoon and Panama’s first ever world finals goal then ensured that the Three Lions went level with Belgium on points, goal difference and goals for and against, ahead of their duel for top spot.

As for the Lions of Teranga, they looked poised to take a big step to the last 16 only to be held in check by a persevering Japan side, who twice came from behind to earn a share of the points and a place at the top of Group H with just the final matchday to come. There was another big cat on the prowl in the day’s final game, as Radamel El Tigre Falcao scored Colombia’s second in their comfortable win over Poland, which kept the South Americans firmly in contention.

The Poles now have nothing but pride to play for in their final match. Incapable of exerting any pressure on Los Cafeteros' goal, despite the presence of Robert Lewandowski, who top-scored in the European qualifiers with 16 goals but has failed to find the target in Russia, Poland have fallen at the first hurdle for the third time running. They also exited Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006 in the group phase.

Did you know? In scoring his side’s second goal against Japan, Senegal’s Moussa Wague became the youngest African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. Aged 19 years and 263 days, he eclipsed Ghana’s Haminu Draman, who was 20 years and 82 days old when he found the back of the net against USA at Germany 2006.

Tomorrow’s matches 25 June

Uruguay-Russia, Group A, Samara Saudi Arabia-Egypt, Group A, Volgograd Spain-Morocco, Group B, Kaliningrad IR Iran-Portugal, Group B, Saransk

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