Sanchez and Kane’s Tottenham connection key to Colombia-England showdown

As the round of 16 of the World Cup comes to a head tonight, Colombia and England will battle for the chance to claim the final spot in the quarter-finals.

It’s the Three Lions that come into the game as favourites, though they will know not to underestimate a side that topped a competitive group despite the worst possible start to the tournament.

When Carlos Sanchez was sent off three minutes into the Tricolor’s campaign and Jose Pekerman’s men fell to an opening defeat to Japan - the presumed whipping boys of Group H - the South Americans prospects of progressing looked slim.

They were without a fully fit James Rodriguez after all, though the Bayern man would return to the lineup against Poland and inspire a convincing 3-0 win to put Colombia’s hopes back on track.

The star of the 2014 World Cup would hobble off in the first half against Senegal, however, and whether or not he starts tonight, Rodriguez’s fitness will be a real concern.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end there’s an intriguing battle in the offing between two clubmates as Davinson Sanchez looks to keep Harry Kane under wraps.

The centre-back has the benefit of training with his Tottenham counterpart on a daily basis but just which Sanchez makes an appearance in Moscow.

The Spurs star has already shown his best and worst traits at this World Cup, at fault for the incident that ultimately saw his namesake dismissed in the defeat to Japan before a remarkable recovery tackle on Sadio Mane against Senegal.

Physically he is up there with the very best defenders at the tournament but his decision making can let him down at times and Kane will be looking to exploit any lapses in concentration from the 22-year-old. Sanchez may come out on top in a foot race, so it will be up to the intelligence of Kane’s movement to work openings and expose his Tottenham teammate’s tendency to be drawn out of position.

The England captain has a key role, then, in not only making space for himself but the midfield runners that were so pivotal in victories over Tunisia and Panama and it will take a mature performance from Colombia’s young centre-back pairing to prevent Southgate’s side from hitting their stride.