Jamie Vardy, who takes them for Leicester, was unused. Jesse Lingard had apparently been banging them in during practice. Walking towards the end lousy and noisy with yellow shirts …Eric Dier.

Eric Dier (centre) is mobbed by his team-mates after his winning penalty in the shootout clinched victory over Colombia

Dier, a defensive midfielder or centre-half, fifth at best in the penalty ranks at his club, Tottenham. Dier, ordinary against Belgium in his only start of the tournament. Dier, who had a pass completion rate of less than 25 per cent in his first 24 minutes on the field here. 

Dier? Anchor man penalty taker? Dier? Have we taken leave of our senses? Apparently not. Gareth Southgate, more than any England manager, knows the agony of the shoot-out. That was one of the reasons he had his squad going through the routine, day after day, in training. With hindsight, why did we ever doubt?

Jordan Pickford dives to save Carlos Bacca’s penalty in the shootout, a stop which gave Dier the chance to win it from the spot

If Dier was the man to hold his nerve, there must be reason, some numbers, some profiling to back that up. Now let’s be truthful. It wasn’t the cleanest. A bit scuffed and Ospina got a hand to it. But not enough. 

There it was, in the net. There England were: in the quarter-finals. And all down to penalties. Not just the shoot-out, but the one Harry Kane scored that should have put England through in normal time. The penalty that took what seemed like forever.

Earlier Yerry Mina was ecstatic after his towering header in the third minute of injury time sent the last-16 match to extra time

Southgate is coming off like Yoda at this World Cup. Even when he loses, he wins. And when Dier nailed that winning penalty, he became the only England manager ever to emerge victorious from a shoot-out at a World Cup. Considering his back story, this was redemption. 

Three penalty finales, three defeats: that had been England’s story until now. From here, whatever this competition holds for this young side, there will be the belief they can cope. Even if it goes to penalties; especially if it goes to penalties. The Germans went home at the group stage, and England have started winning shoot-outs. From here, pretty much anything can happen. 

Harry Kane roars with delight after firing England in front from the penalty spot 12 minutes into the second half in Moscow

This is a moment in time; a moment when the cards are falling England’s way. Sweden are a well-organised team that defeated Italy in a play-off, then battled their way out of Germany’s group and through a knock-out game with Switzerland. So respect is due. 

Yet, it cannot be forgotten that at the quarter-final stage it was envisaged England might meet one of either Brazil or Germany and would then go home – if they even got that far. A match-up with Sweden for a place in the last four? Come on, an opportunity like this may never open again. At worst, England have a puncher’s chance; at best – well, better not to even go there.

When Jordan Henderson’s third penalty of the shoot-out was saved by Ospina, it looked as if Southgate’s group were about to embark on a familiar path, the nation the same. More torture; more heartbreak; more wry songs making light of pain and hurt, to mask how we really feel.

But this night was different. Mateus Uribe and Carlos Bacca missed for Colombia; Kieran Trippier scored for England and suddenly victory was a shot away. Yet here’s the bizarre thing. It might not even have been the most nerve-shredding penalty of the night. At least Dier got his over quickly.

Three minutes and 31 seconds. Three minutes and 31 seconds was the time between the foul on Harry Kane in the 54th minute, and the moment he put the ball past Ospina to give England the lead. 

Southgate addresses his England players in a huddle as the manager gives out instructions ahead of the period of extra time

That is a lot of time for a young man to think. Not about himself, for in these moments, individual awards such as a World Cup Golden Boot are a trifle. This was time to think about his team-mates, his country, everyone whose kindness and guidance had brought him to this point.

About the nation watching, at home. About kids in school looking up to him. And yes, it’s only a game of football. But for three minutes and 31 seconds it must have felt like the world.

In the time elapsed between referee Mark Geiger pointing to the spot, and Kane converting the penalty that should have brought England victory in normal time, Kane must have tried to disappear into his little bubble of familiarity. Tried but, probably, failed. Mayhem was unfolding around him. 

Marcus Rashford made no mistake as he rifled home England’s second penalty in the shootout against Colombia to level at 2-2

When Kyle Walker gave the ball away and Colombia broke in the 81st minute, there would have been a collective national scream. Juan Quintero fed Juan Cuadrado on the overlap – one of those Colombians with a score to settle against the English game – but his shot was snatched and flew over.

Changes were made, the tension increased. It felt as if it was happening. The chance of lifetime. Almost too much to bear: and then it was snatched away, as every England fan feared.

Muriel slotted past Pickford to put Colombia 3-2 up in the shootout and put the pressure on Henderson to level for England

Uribe hit a shot from range that Jordan Pickford tipped wide magnificently. A Colombian corner. England could handle those, surely. Up came Ospina, against the judgement of the bench – particularly when Colombia have players the size of Yerry Mina on hand.

He was the target, and he was the man the corner found. He outjumped Harry Maguire and headed the ball down. It reared up and was misjudged by Trippier on the line, his header only helping it on his way. Colombia were level, against the odds. Yet for England it felt painfully familiar. In the first-half of extra time it looked as if there would only be one winner: and it wasn’t the team in red.

Pickford is pumped up after denying Bacca with a stunning save to hand Dier a chance to win the contest with his spot-kick

Yet justice, over the full expanse of the game, prevailed. Colombia’s Wilmar Barrios was very lucky not to be dismissed for a butt on Henderson just before half-time. Geiger showed him a yellow card, probably the first time that has been considered the correct punishment for such an offence. 

And substitute Dier settled the contest and fired England into a quarter-final clash with Sweden with a clinical spot-kick

As they left the field for half-time, Barrios shook Geiger’s hand, and thanked him. A Colombian coach deliberately shoulder barged Raheem Sterling. It was a rather unpleasant scene and England were sucked into it at times. Colombian players made a meal of every challenge, but then Maguire dived, too. He could easily have been booked had Geiger spotted that.

Dier pumps his fists in celebration as the Tottenham midfielder toasted his winning penalty in the shootout in Moscow

Cameos from the shoot out? Well, Pickford’s save from Bacca obviously – and Marcus Rashford’s penalty. He has never taken one at senior level but he was second up here, England 2-1 down, smashing the ball left as if he was messing about with his mates. Credit Southgate’s influence there, too. This is a rare spirit England’s manager has engendered. Where it will take him from here, we can only dare to imagine. 

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Arsenal 0 Westham 2

GOALS:-Cheikhou Koyate 43rd, Mauro Zarate 57th

Arsenal’s start to the Premier League was less impressive in a loss to London rivals West Ham.

West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate, second from left, heads the ball to score his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal

The Gunners were stunned as West Ham got away with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Cheikhou Koyate’s header before halftime and a low finish from Mauro Zarate in the 57th minute gave the Hammers’ new coach Slaven Bilic the perfect start.

Petr Cech, acquired by Arsenal from Chelsea in a somewhat surprising summer transfer, was at least partly to blame for both goals. The Czech stopper raced out to try and punch a Dimitri Payet free kick in the 43rd minute, only to miss as Kouyate headed into an empty net.

The second goal saw Zarate stole the ball easily from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Arsenal’s defensive third, and took a few touches before curling a shot into the bottom corner with Cech being left flatfooted.

EVERTON 2 WATFORD 2

GOALS:- EVERTON: BARKLEY 76th; KONE 86th. WATFORD: LAYUN 14th; IGHALO 83rd.

Arouna Kone struck late on to secure a vital point on Watford’s return to the Barclays Premier League. Mexican Miguel Layun put Watford ahead in the first half before Ross Barkley equalized for Everton. Odion Ighalo’s goal put Watford ahead as the clock was ticking down  but substitute Kone pulled one back for Everton which ensured the matter was settled with a draw.

AFC BOURNEMOUTH 0 ASTON VILLA 1

GOAL:- VILLA: GESTEDE 72nd

Bournemouth was given a warm welcome to the Barclays Premier League by Aston Villa substitute Rudy Gestede and debutant who scored the winner for his new team.

Bournemouth, last season’s championship winners, wasted so many chances and were at least good enough to have picked  a point in the game.

CHELSEA 2 SWANSEA CITY 2

GOALS:- CHELSEA: OSCAR 23rd; FERNANDEZ OG 30th. SWANSEA: AYEW 29th; GOMIS PEN 55th.

Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea suffered a setback in the defence of their title when they had goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off and dropped two valuable home points. Oscar gave Chelsea the lead with an early free kick only for debutant AndrÈ Ayew to level for the Welshmen. Federico Fernandez converted William’s cross beyond his own keeper to hand Chelsea the lead before Courtois was sent off and replacement Asmir Begovic was unable to stop Bafetimbi Gomis’ spot kick.

Thibaut Courtois was sent off against Swansea City on the weekend

LECIESTER CITY 4 SUNDERLAND 2

GOALS:- VARDY 11th; MAHREZ 18th, PEN 25th; ALBRIGHTON 66th. SUNDERLAND: DEFOE 60th; FLETCHER 71st.

Former Chelsea and new Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri began his reign at Leicester City by taking the club to the summit of the Barclays Premier league by beating up his counterpart Dick Advocaate.

Leicester scored from Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Albrighton while Sunderland got their goals from Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0

GOAL:- WALKER OG 22nd.

Manchester United needed a Kyle Walker own goal to secure an unconvincing 1-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Kyle Walker scores an own goal for Manchester United

Walker made history with his own goal  became the first opening goal of the Premier League season to be an own goal.

United, whose manager Louis van Gaal was celebrating his 64th birthday, took the points after Walker, attempting to tackle Wayne Rooney, put through his own net.

NORWICH CITY 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 3

GOALS:- PALACE: ZAHA 39th; DELANEY 49th; CABAYE 90th. NORWICH: REDMOND 69TH.

Crystal Palace played out an entertaining game against promoted side Norwich though the result dominated by  a goal which was  controversially ruled out. Cameron Jerome’s hooked effort was wrongly ruled out by rookie ref Simon Hooper when it should have given the home side an equaliser. Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney had put Palace two goals up and after Nathan Redmond pulled one back for City, Jerome’s effort was ruled out and Eagles debutant Yohan Cabaye sealed the win.

Stoke City 0 liverpool 1

GOALS:- Philippe Coutinho 86th

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho scored a stunning late winner to seal a 1-0 victory at Stoke City.

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho Correia celebrates with team-mates after scoring the winning goal against Stoke City during the Premier League

This was a big game for Liverpool after the humiliation in the final game of last season — inflicting a 6-1 defeat on Brendan Rodgers’ team.

There was no repeat on Sunday with Coutinho’s moment of magic ensuring Liverpool walks away with all the three points.

Newcastle 2 Southampton 2

GOALS:- Graziano Pelle 24th, Papiss Cisse 42^nd, Gini Wijnaldum 48th,Shane Long79th

New Newcastle manager Steve McClaren had to settle for a point in a game where both sides had the lead for a while.

Goals from Papiss Cisse and new signing Gini Wijnaldum put Newcastle in command after Graziano Pelle’s 24th-minute opener for the visitors.

But substitute Shane Long rose to power home a cross from the Dusan Tadic with 11 minutes to go to secure a point.

The first round of matches concludes tonight when Manchester City travels to West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion Vs Manchester City preview

Unbeaten in their last five league games at the Hawthorns, Manuel Pellegrini’s men go into tonight’s encounter in high spirits and full of confidence.

England’s most expensive player Raheem Sterling, is set to be handed his first competitive start for the club.

Man City defender Gael Clichy and summer signing Fabian Delph will miss the game while England’s most expensive player Raheem Sterling, is set to be handed his first competitive start for the club.David Silva, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero are all available for selection.Meanwhile West Bromwich Albion summer signings Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), James McClean (Wigan Athletic) and James Chester (Hull City) are set to make their debuts for the club, although Serge Gnabry’s (Arsenal) loan move was completed too late for him to feature.

Read more on  premierleague.com

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