There was joy and relief in the English media on Wednesday morning after England beat Colombia 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout in Moscow to book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Amid a few penalty puns there was universal praise for the contributions of Jordan Pickford and Eric Dier to England’s first-ever win on penalties in the World Cup, along with excitement for Saturday’s clash with Sweden.
‘AT LAST! England win on penalties’ — Eric Dier is mobbed by Gareth Southgate’s ‘roaring’ lions.
‘Miracle in Moscow’ — England end years of penalty shootout misery to set up a quarterfinal with Sweden, thanks in part to “hero keeper” Jordan Pickford.
‘Hand of Jord’ — The Sun focus on Pickford’s heroics with a pun likening his contribution to Diego Maradona’s against England in 1986.
‘England win on penalties – yes really’ — Sun Sport call it ‘The headline we have waited a lifetime to write.’