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England in charge of their destiny, says Gareth Southgate

Image: Gareth Southgate says it is time for England to deliver

Gareth Southgate says his England players are in control of their own destiny when they take on Colombia in the World Cup last 16.

After reaching the knockout stages with a game to spare, England enter Tuesday's clash knowing victory over Colombia would set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland or Sweden.

Southgate is confident last week's 1-0 defeat to Belgium has not thrown the team off track and believes his men are relishing the task in hand.

"I think life is always about opportunity presenting itself and taking control of it, taking charge of it," Southgate said.

Harry Kane
Image: Harry Kane leads the race for the World Cup Golden Boot, with five goals from the group stages

"We said we didn't want this tournament to take hold of us and push us around. We wanted to attack it and make sure we were in charge of our destiny.

"Of course, once you get to these games there are really fine margins, so there are games that you know as a team if you want to progress to have success, you have to win these matches.

"All our preparations around that we feel we are in a good place. Now we have to stop talking and go and deliver."

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The boss says the squad have "trained like Trojans", as they target a first win in the knockout stages since 2006.

 during the England training session at the Stadium Spartak Zelenogorsk on July 2, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Image: Gareth Southgate has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the last-16 game against Colombia

"Everyone wants to be behind the national team and I don't think that will ever change," said Southgate.

"We have all been hurt by disappointment, but maybe some of our expectations at times have been a little unrealistic.

"I think we have had more realism about what we have done this time and we should all enjoy the journey."

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