Every man, woman, child or animal in England was focused on this match as England had the chance to make it to the final and make it their best finish at a World Cup Finals since Italia 90. Looking at the England side to start the match, manager Alan Shearer was definitely going for a win in ninety minutes here as he recalled Joe Cole, Tom Huddlestone and Carlton Cole after they missed the quarter final with France. Both teams shared most of the play in the first half but both goalkeepers stayed strong and kept clean sheets. The deadlock was broken in the fiftieth minute as Carlton Cole scored his first international goal and what a time to score it in a World Cup Semi Final, Tom Huddlestone played a pinpoint pass to him, he jinked past Lucio and calmly slotted it away and showed why he is one of the best strikers in England. However, Brazil hit straight back as Robinho nutmegged John Terry and carefully chipped the ball over a stranded Ben Foster. Both teams had even possession throughout the whole of the match and in extra-time both teams rattled the woodwork from shots by Frank Lampard and Kaka. As penalties loomed, Theo Walcott had a chance to settle it for England in the 120th minute but his effort was saved by the superb Julio Cesar. The referee’s whistle brought an end to extra time and England were going to have to get over their penalty shootout hoodoo to get to the final in Johannesburg. Wayne Rooney stepped up to take the first penalty and slotted it in the bottom left hand corner. Kaka was up next for Brazil and his strike down the middle left Ben Foster with no chance. Next up for England was Carlton Cole, who had earlier scored his first international goal, but his effort to Julio Cesar’s right was perfectly saved. Robinho then converted his effort to make it 2-1 to Brazil after two penalties. Successful penalties from Theo Walcott, Adriano, Ashley Young, Maxwell and David Beckham followed to make it 4-4 with Felipe Melo to take Brazil’s last penalty and send them through. Could Carlton Cole go from hero to zero? Or could Ben Foster become a legend? As Melo stepped up, the tension around the ground was unbearable, whistles and boos from the England fans whilst Brazil’s fans were trying to cheer him on. Melo placed a left footed shot in the bottom right corner, England fans hearts were in the mouth as Ben Foster dived for it....and he pulled off a magnificent save low down to his left! Now it was sudden death, one miss and the game could be over. England’s next taker was Tom Huddlestone but he showed no nerves and calmly chipped it down the middle. Lucio converted the next penalty for Brazil. Rio Ferdinand, Juan, John Terry, Maicon, Ashley Cole, Lucas and Glen Johnson were all successful with their penalties in sudden death and then up stepped Hernanes. He had to score to keep Brazil in the World Cup, the long walk from the halfway line seemed to take a lifetime for the fans in the stand. Again, like Felipe Melo’s penalty, the whistles and boos from the England fans were louder than all the vuvuzelas in the stadium. Hernanes looked nervous as he was about to take his penalty, his run-up direct, his body language wrong. As the ball left his foot, the whole world seemed to move in slow motion. Everyone watching the game was holding their breath, England fans couldn’t watch. However, the ball was screwed terribly wide and England fans went wild. England players and staff ran towards Ben Foster, except Alan Shearer who simply went down on his knees and looked towards the sky before joining in with the celebrations. England had reason to celebrate, they had knocked out the five-time world champions and would now be appearing in their first World Cup tournament since 1966. They would also be facing Portugal in the final in Soccer City and Steven Gerrard and Co. will be looking to get revenge on them after knocking them out in the 2006 Quarter Final and Ricardo Carvalho and Cristiano Ronaldo getting Wayne Rooney sent off.
