World Cup 2018: Colombia v England
Colombia's James Rodriguez, the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner, was forced off injured against SenegalBBC coverage
How to follow: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live; text commentary on the BBC Sport website; watch highlights on BBC One at 22:45 BST
TEAM NEWS
England's Dele Alli is available for selection again after missing the group matches against Panama and Belgium.
Manager Gareth Southgate is set to recall the players he rested against the Belgians, including captain Harry Kane, who has five goals so far.
Colombia will monitor the fitness of star midfielder James Rodriguez, who was forced off against Senegal.
A scan of his right calf has revealed swelling but no muscle tear, though it is unclear if he will be fit to start.
Fellow midfielder Wilmar Barrios could be recalled to the starting line-up, with Colombia potentially fielding a more conservative line-up than in their must-win game against Senegal.
- Colombia v England - what threat do the South Americans pose?
OVERVIEW
No previous winners left in England's side of the draw, only one country ranked higher, a young hungry team seemingly unburdened by previous failures, and a golden boot chasing striker…what could possibly go wrong?
…Well, if history is anything to go by, quite a lot. The Three Lions have infamously won just two, yes two, knockout games at a World Cup since the heady days of Italia '90 (v Denmark in 2002 and Ecuador four years later).
Aside from the glory of 1966 they have also never beaten a top-tier team in the knockout stages at a finals. Oh, and the dreaded spectre of penalties looms large. No country has lost more shoot-outs at a World Cup than the three England have (level with Italy and Spain) - they've lost a total of six out of seven at major tournaments.
But what of opponents Colombia? They achieved their best-ever performance at a World Cup in 2014 by reaching the quarter-finals before losing to hosts Brazil. "We are a better team than four years ago," says goalkeeper David Ospina. "We are together, more experienced and a stronger squad of players than we were in Brazil. Our players play in the best clubs, the best leagues, and are used to playing in matches of this size, so nothing will frighten us."
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman: "We know that any team that reaches the last 16 is good, we are talking about the best 16 teams in the world
"Obviously England can have a good day or a bad day. England is a young team, has a lot of harmony and you can tell they have a lot of faith in themselves."
England manager Gareth Southgate: "I feel like we've started to connect the team with the public again.
"I feel like we've created excitement, like we've played in a style that has really shown an expression of what young English players are capable of, and I want us to continue doing that."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
So, we will see what effect making so many changes has on England, but I actually think they will be fine against Colombia.
They have some good players, but I don't think they will be able to cope with England's high-pressing game.
Prediction: 0-2
Lawro's full predictions
England's Harry Kane leads the race for the Golden BootMATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
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England are unbeaten against Colombia in five previous meetings. Michael Owen scored a hat-trick in the most recent match, which England won 3-2 in New Jersey in 2005.
The Three Lions beat Colombia 2-0 in their only previous World Cup encounter thanks to goals from Darren Anderton and David Beckham in the group stage of the 1998 tournament.
Colombia
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This is the third time Colombia have made the knock-out stage. The only previous occasion they've gone past the round of 16 was in Brazil four years ago.
They are unbeaten in eight games versus European opposition since head coach Jose Pekerman took charge in 2012 (W6, D2).
Los Cafeteros have scored in each of their last eight World Cup games - the last side to stop them scoring in the tournament was England in 1998.
None of Colombia's 21 matches at the World Cup have ended goalless. Only the USA (33) and Austria (29) have played more games in the competition without registering a 0-0.
Juan Quintero has been directly involved in three of Colombia's five goals at this World Cup, scoring in their first match and delivering an assist in the second and third game.
Against Senegal, Colombia didn't have a touch inside the opposition penalty area until the 57th minute (from substitute Luis Muriel).
England
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England have won two of their last eight World Cup knockout games.
Their last knock-out victory in the World Cup came against South American opposition, when they beat Ecuador 1-0 in the round of 16 in 2006.
England have only failed to score in one of their 18 knockout games at the World Cup - in the 0-0 draw against Portugal in the 2006 quarter-finals (won by Portugal on penalties).
Harry Kane has played just 153 minutes at the World Cup but he has already scored five goals, second only to Gary Lineker's record of 10 for England.
If Kane finds the net against Colombia, he will become the first player to score in six consecutive appearances for the Three Lions since Tommy Lawton back in 1939.
This will be England's 18th game against South American opposition at the World Cup. They have won eight of the previous 17 (D3, L6).
England 7% chance of winning World Cup?
Simon Gleave, head of analysis at Gracenote Sports:
Colombia began the World Cup with a 5% chance of winning the final on July 15. Defeat by Japan in their opening Group H match made qualification to the last 16 uncertain though and Colombia's chance of winning the competition dropped to 2%.
It only bounced back to 5% after Colombia's place in the knockout phase was assured.
Prior to an open looking World Cup, England were given 4% chance of winning the competition. This rose to 6% after the win against Tunisia made an early qualification possible and 7% once England's knockout spot was confirmed. Even with a 7% chance of winning, England were the marginal third favourites.
Before the round of 16 started, the advantage of being in the bottom half of the draw was only small but Spain's elimination has made it even more advantageous to have finished as runners-up in Group G.
England have to knock out their toughest potential opponent in this side of the draw though when they play Colombia.
Source: bbc.com
Source: bbc.com
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