Mark Ogden, Senior Football Writer – Page 3

England wait on Jamie Vardy, Kyle Walker, Ashley Young fitness after Colombia win

ESPN FC’s Mark Ogden explains what England’s penalty shootout victory against Colombia means for both the team and the nation.

ESPN’s Charlie Gibson queries fans about England’s World Cup chances while colleague Chris Mendes takes in all the action at Flat Iron Square in London.

England overcome their historic struggles in shootouts and advance on penalties over Colombia, while Sweden do enough to beat Switzerland.

After England’s first shootout win since 1996, the FC crew delve into all the facets of their win over Colombia and what they need to improve on.
England will wait 24 hours before assessing the fitness of Jamie Vardy, Kyle Walker and Ashley Young following Tuesday’s penalty shootout win over Colombia.
All three are doubts for the quarterfinal against Sweden in Samara on Saturday after reporting problems to the England medical team after the victory in Moscow.
But as Gareth Southgate’s squad did not return to their Repino training camp near St Petersburg until the early hours of Wednesday morning, the initial plan is to allow all the players…

Gareth Southgate didn’t take England penalty volunteers in shootout vs. Colombia

England have gotten through to the quarterfinals, but Steve McManaman and the FC boys think England need to improve to live up to their new expectations.

Gareth Southgate has revealed he chose the five England players to take the spot-kicks in Tuesday’s World Cup penalty shootout victory against Colombia rather than seek volunteers for the responsibility.
England won a shootout at the World Cup for the first time after three previous failures and booked a quarterfinal tie against Sweden in Samara with their 4-3 penalty triumph in Moscow.
But while England have in the past relied on players to raise their hand for the dubious privilege of taking…

World Cup quarterfinals: Belgium can upset Brazil, England’s Sweden test, France to beat Uruguay?

The FC crew discuss the most impressive teams in the World Cup, the best player thus far and try to dig deep and find some compliments for each other.

ESPN’s Charlie Gibson queries fans about England’s World Cup chances while colleague Chris Mendes takes in all the action at Flat Iron Square in London.
Russia 2018 has been one of the most compelling, entertaining and unpredictable World Cups in living memory, with pre-tournament favourites Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal already out of the competition.
The quarterfinals begin on Friday with some heavyweight match-ups and unfancied nations facing each other as they attempt to secure a berth in the final four.
So how will the quarterfinals go and who will be left standing with their dreams still alive?

World Cup 2018 must-reads
- Make…

Gareth Southgate masterminds the end of England’s penalty-shootout woes

MOSCOW — Everyone seems to know the score; we’ve seen it all before. Or so we thought.
For once — for the first time in five

England end their penalty curse, beat Colombia in petulant game

Eric Dier punched England’s ticket to the World Cup quarterfinals with the final penalty of the shootout against Colombia.
MOSCOW — Three points from England’s 4-3 penalty-shootout win vs. Colombia, following a 1-1 draw after extra time, in the World Cup round of 16:
1. England win a penalty shootout!
England ended their World Cup penalties misery with a 4-3 win shootout against Colombia in Moscow, a success that saw them claim victory from spot kicks for the first time since 1996.
Jordan Pickford’s save from Colombia’s Carlos Bacca, following Mateus Uribe’s miss, enabled Eric Dier to score the decisive kick for England,…

England are historically bad at penalties. Can this squad do better?

Can England cure their penalty curse if they have to face a shoot-out? Lingard, Sterling, Rashford, Jones and Pickford share their penalty stories.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Jay Ajayi gives his predictions for the knockout stages of the World Cup – can England go all the way??

Jesse Lingard opens up about the strong spirit within the England squad and how they’ve responded to Gareth Southgate’s philosophy.

England’s Dele Alli insists there is no ‘A or B team’ in the squad and that the side aren’t wary of James Rodriguez but the whole Colombia team.

Steve McManaman explains why he’s not concerned by England’s defeat, after the Three Lions fielded a rotated squad against Belgium.

MOSCOW — Penalties. There, in three syllables, is the word that strikes fear, panic and a general sense of hopelessness in every Englishman. When it comes to being world leaders, nobody can match England when it comes to messing it up from 12 yards in a penalty shoot-out, and now that we’re in the knockout stages of Russia 2018, the shadow of penalties begins to loom large once again for the 1966 World Cup winners.
Still, at least there is some good news. Spain’s shoot-out defeat against Russia…

Manchester United step up interest in Norway teenager Erling Braut Haaland – sources

Thibaut Courtois believes Marouane Fellaini is a useful player for both Belgium and Manchester United, after he signed a new two-year deal at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho gives his prediction for Serbia v Brazil.

ESPN FC’s Ligue 1 correspondent Julien Laurens shares his thoughts on Manchester United and Manchester City’s links with PSG forward Kylian Mbappe.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho thinks England have the quality and experience to win the World Cup.

Steve Nicol explains why Fred is a great addition to Manchester United’s midfield and why the club were smart to seal the move before the World Cup.
Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Norwegian teenager Erling Braut Haaland — son of former Manchester City midfielder Alfie — after watching him score all four goals in Molde’s 4-0 win against Brann on Sunday.
The 17-year-old, who has also been watched by his father’s former club Leeds United this season, scored four goals in 21 minutes as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team defeated Norwegian league leaders Brann.
And sources have told ESPN FC that United’s Scandinavian scout Tommy Moller…

Cristiano Ronaldo’s ambition means he could play at Qatar 2022

The FC crew break down Uruguay’s ousting of Portugal and how the Edinson Cavani-Luis Suarez partnership flourished on the night.

Edinson Cavani was a class above Portugal, netting a brace to help Uruguay eliminate Ronaldo & Co. and set up a quarterfinal showdown with France.
SOCHI, Russia — The “will he, won’t he?” debate about whether Cristiano Ronaldo will attempt to play in a fifth World Cup in four years’ time can start in earnest following Portugal’s elimination from Russia 2018 at the round-of-16 stage by Uruguay.
It has already begun for Lionel Messi, who was also given his boarding pass for a flight home on Saturday when Argentina fell to a 4-3 defeat vs. France in Kazan — but the two superstars have wholly different issues to consider before making a decision…

Edinson Cavani outshines Ronaldo but injury could dampen Uruguay’s long-term hopes

Edinson Cavani was a class above Portugal, netting a brace to help Uruguay eliminate Ronaldo & Co. and set up a quarterfinal showdown with France.

Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cups have come to an end after Round of 16 defeats to France and Uruguay.

SOCHI, Russia — Three points from Uruguay’s 2-1 win over Portugal in the round of 16 at the World Cup.

1. Cavani delivers as Uruguay send Portugal home
Edinson Cavani produced the most impressive international performance of his career with two stunning goals to send Uruguay into the World Cup quarterfinals –but a second-half hamstring injury against Portugal has now left the Paris Saint-Germain striker facing a battle to be fit for Friday’s last-eight matchup against France.

In another…

Maradona, Neuer on the wing and Ronaldo free kicks: World Cup 2018 good, bad, ugly and bizarre so far

The ESPN FC guys examine the matchups to watch for in the round of 16 and the teams most likely to spring a surprise.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi watches England’s 1-0 loss to Belgium with Nat Coombs and friends.

Russia 2018 has already been one of best World Cups in living memory, with spectacular goals, classic games and the ultimate shock of world champions Germany crashing out at the group stage.
So as we prepare for the knock-out stages of the competitions, here is a review of the opening two-and-a-half weeks: the Good, Bad, Ugly and Truly Bizarre of the World Cup so far.
THE GOOD
Great goals: Picking the goal of the tournament will be a challenge due to the high-quality strikes we have seen in Russia.
Nacho’s…

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