England vs Colombia: John Stones' reaction to shoot-out victory was epic

A national television audience of more than 23 million people roared England to a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success over Colombia in the last-16 of the 2018 World Cup, but few loved it more than Three Lions centre-back John Stones.

The spot-kick triumph was England’s first-ever victory in a World Cup shoot-out and delirious celebrations broke out as soon as Eric Dier confirmed the win with his decisive penalty.

There was plenty of bad blood on display between the two sides throughout the encounter. Feisty from the outset, the match became even more intense when Colombia midfielder Wilmar Barrios appeared to headbutt Jordan Henderson in the chest.

Somehow, that crazy act only earned Barrios a yellow card.

The match went to penalties after Harry Kane’s 57th-minute opener from the spot was cancelled out by a last-gasp header from Yerry Mina in the dying minutes of normal time.

By the end of a scoreless extra-time period, the Colombians had picked up a further five cautions – and the two sides were thoroughly sick of the sight of one another.

Such was the needle between both sets of players that Manchester City’s Stones couldn’t resist taking what looked to be a cheeky dig at the opposition when Dier slammed home the crucial spot-kick.

Alongside his central defensive partner Harry Maguire, Stones glanced back in the direction of a devastated Colombian side, including the aforementioned Barrios, with beaming smiles on their faces.

Not the most sporting moment you’ll ever see at a World Cup, but a satisfying one for many long-suffering England fans. You can check it out for yourself below.

John Stones giving it to Colombians after all the crap they tried#COLvENG pic.twitter.com/3gKgSULsAl

After the euphoria of England’s success