Reason why Jamie Vardy didn't take a penalty in World Cup last-16 win over Colombia
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England needed penalties to beat Colombia on Tuesday, progressing to the quarter-final of the World Cup in the most dramatic fashion possible.
Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford dispatched their spot-kicks before Jordan Henderson stepped up to the plate, but was unable to convert.
Meanwhile Colombia duo Mateus Uribe and Carlos Bacca missed their spot-kicks, either side of Kieran Trippier hitting the back of the net, leaving Eric Dier with the job of putting the tie to bed.
Fortunately for the Three Lions, the Tottenham midfielder made no mistakes from 12 yards and smashed the ball past Arsenal keeper David Ospina.
(Image: REUTERS)
England fans were delighted the ball hit the back of the net, and in the end couldn't care less who dispatched the match-winning penalty.
But there was some confusion when Dier - a holding midfielder - stepped up to the plate while Jamie Vardy remained where he was.
Vardy shares the responsibility of taking penalties alongside Riyad Mahrez at Leicester City, and is no stranger to hitting the back of the net when asked to do so.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
He was also down to take a spot-kick, alongside the aforementioned England stars who did, so why didn't he take one?
Gareth Southgate shed some light on the situation after the game, when asked about his discussions with his coaching staff prior to the shoot-out.
(Image: FIFA)
He said: "[We were] just making sure we had our order right. We had to make a couple of changes because of injuries during the extra-time period.
"But we knew it was a process we were in charge of and the guys executed it brilliantly."
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
England fans keeping a close eye on the action also noticed Vardy holding his groin when celebrating the Three Lions' victory.
It has since been announced that Vardy has had an injection for a groin strain and is a doubt for the quarter-final against Sweden on Saturday.