England vs Colombia: Jesse Lingard nullified as Three Lions scrap their way into World Cup 2018 quarter-finals

If there’s ever a player who deserves his World Cup place as a result of his patience, then it’s Jesse Lingard.

He lined up against Colombia in just his 15th game for the Three Lions having already made a name for himself at Manchester United. After loan spells at Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton and Derby, he finally started to break into the United first team aged 22, after showing so much potential as a youngster, just as Sir Alex Ferguson predicted.

“Jesse Lingard is going to be some player,” said Ferguson when Lingard was a teenager. “He is 19, came through our youth system and is built like Jean Tigana was for France. But he never got into the limelight there until he was about 24, and I think that will be the same with Lingard.”

Just as Ferguson foretold, Lingard, 25, is now emerging as an accomplished footballer, and a key player for United and England. He was very impressive against Tunisia in England’s first group game and followed that performance with a goal in the 6-1 win over Panama before being rested against Belgium.

England’s start against Colombia was tetchy as the South American side broke up their fluid play with strong and determined defending. What had worked so well for England in their two previous wins, the quick passing, incisive movement off the ball and fast tempo, was being disrupted. This hampered Lingard and Dele Alli who have been instructed by Gareth Southgate to move the ball quickly from the middle of the pitch towards Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling in attacking areas.

In the 56th minute, England were given a lifeline. A penalty given for holding in the area and Kane took his World Cup tally to six as he slotted his effort down the middle of the goal with Arsenal’s David Ospina diving out of the way.

Jesse Lingard goes down in the penalty area (Reuters) (REUTERS)

With the goal came a shift in the game. Things got increasingly scrappy and the play was broken up before players could strong together passes, which meant that Alli and Lingard had to adapt.

Aside from the England defenders, Lingard completed more passes than any other player as England. However, Colombia continued to nullify his attacking influence and all of his crisp passing was sideways, completing just one key pass.

England need to be getting the best out of Lingard, and it’s all well and good being brisk against Tunisia and Panama, but against a tougher side he was unable to play at his best which hampered England.

While Colombia were able to cope with Lingard when he was in possession, his movement off the ball was a different story. He created space for Kane and Sterling behind him and almost won England a second penalty. On the break Sterling fed the ball to Lingard who charged into the box then went down under Davinson Sanchez’s sliding challenge but the referee waved away protests.

Next up for England is Sweden who will be another tough opponents to crack. Lingard will continue to be responsible for executing Southgate’s slick style of play, whether it is through his movement or play on the ball.