Keeper Curtis Anderson the hero as England beat Japan on penalties to reach quarter-finals

Anderson saved Japan’s third penalty in a technically proficient shootout before stepping up himself to put England on the verge of victory by scoring from the spot.

And substitute Nya Kirby pinged in the winning penalty off the post to spark jubilant celebrations in the England ranks.

England had sailed through the group stages, but lacked Jadon Sancho’s spark in Tuesday’s game.

The winger was only released by his club Borussia Dortmund for the group stages of the competition and – following FIFA protocol – he flew back to Germany prior to the knockout stages.

Chances were few and far between in normal time of a tense match in Kolkata, with Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster wasting one of England’s best opportunities when he blazed over the bar midway through the first half.

And with no extra-time in the tournament, the game went straight to the shootout.

England will face the USA in the quarter-finals.