TNT Sports
Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling start for England, James Rodriguez not fit to start
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Published 03/07/2018 at 18:47 GMT+1
England manager Gareth Southgate has picked the same team to face Colombia that started the opening game against Tunisia, with Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling both starting.
Dele Alli of England looks on during a pitch inspection prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.
Image credit: Getty Images
Alli, 22, missed England's subsequent group matches with a thigh injury following the victory over Tunisia but he is fit to start tonight's match as Ruben Loftus-Cheek makes way.
Sterling continues alongside captain Harry Kane up front with Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy on the bench.
Jordan Henderson is in midfield rather than Eric Dier with Ashley Young at left wing-back ahead of Danny Rose.
Jordan Pickford keeps his place in goal despite some criticism in the media for his part in Adnan Januzaj's winner for Belgium in the final group match.
The big news for Colombia is that the talismanic James Rodriguez is not fit enough to start.
They field a defensive team with Juan Cuadrado, Juan Quintero and Radamel Falcao the only real attacking players.
TEAMS IN FULL
England - Pickford, Trippier, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Lingard, Henderson, Alli, Sterling, Kane
Colombia - Ospina; Arias, Davinson, Mina, Mojica; Barrios, Sánchez, Lerma; Cuadrado, Quintero; Falcao.
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