World Cup diary, day 20: England win a penalty shootout, and I was there

What a time to be alive. I never thought I would see England win a penalty shootout, not in my lifetime, or my future children’s lifetime, let alone witness one live.

Famous Russian playwright Anton Chekhov once proclaimed that Moscow was a city that had “much suffering ahead of it”, and as I approached the Spartak Stadium for England’s last-16 clash with a talented Colombia side, I expected to be suffering a few hours later.

Colombia have never beaten England, but this is very much a ‘golden generation’ of Colombian talent, with a young England side up against it to keep fans back home dreaming of glory.

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SLIDESHOW: The stadiums of the Russian World Cup (Click image below)

Colombians outnumbered their English fan counterparts at least by ten to one – it was like a home game for the South Americans.

Their fans, on the whole, make an international tournament more fun. They are a colourful bunch, and enjoy themselves like no other, without a care in the world.

It was, in fact, difficult to find any England fans at all. Each group found themselves hounded for interviews, with such a sparsity of options.

The Colombians I spoke to were confident, too, with or without James Rodriguez. All of them had planned for the next round with their adventure, according to them, just beginning.

The media centre was absolutely packed. Smaller than any stadium I have been in the tournament, the Spartak press facilities were full to bursting, so much so that by the time the match came around, the majority were forced to stay in the media centre to watch the match – there was just no room at the inn.

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The noise in the stadium was all from the Colombians. England fans tried with all their might, but the numerical advantage made the difference.

England coped well on the pitch, despite some rather obtrusive Colombian efforts to cause utmost disruption.

Such dirty tricks were causing indignation on the press box – it was happening again, and England were going to lose their heads and become masters of their own downfall.

However, much to the surprise of everyone in attendance, England gave as good as they got. Jordan Henderson channelling his inner Neymar was a particular highlight.

It looked like we were on course for victory, the piece was written, Jordan Pickford had thwarted Colombia for the last time – we would not concede from a corner – our forte, with the last kick of the match? Wrong.

Of course it came down to penalties – how else would England complete another miserable exit from a tournament, with England’s penalty takers having a rather young, and inexperienced feel to them.

However, there is something about this bunch that defied their youthfulness. Jordan Henderson’s penalty aside, all of England’s penalties were struck with such conviction, while Pickford, despite his diminutive stature (!) saved the day. Cue pandemonium in the press box.

I am not normally one for overelaborate celebrations when working. Some level of professionalism must normally be maintained, but I did not care one jot for such morals, and nearly broke my laptop in the process.

We had defied the odds, in the face of provocation, and have a realistic, yes realistic, chance of getting to a World Cup final – and I could be there to witness it. My word.