Media, players, royalty sing England's praises for rare shoot-out win

Samara, Russia (dpa) - England finally winning a World Cup penalty shoot-out dominated the headlines on Thursday and drew praise from a myriad of people, including Prince William.
The 4-3 win on penalties over Colombia, after the sides drew 1-1 over 120 minutes, was England's first in a shoot-out at the World Cup and just their second at a major tournament. It was also their first knock-out victory at a tournament in 12 years.
It earned them a trip to the quarter-finals to face Sweden on Saturday in Samara. The Daily Mirror proclaimed: "AT LAST! England win on penalties" and "Bring on Sweden" on its front page, "WORLD CUP SHOCK...ENGLAND WIN ON PENALTIES!" said the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian stated: "Joy (and relief) as England break curse of the penalty shootout." "NEVER IN DOUBT!...NOW WE CAN ALL BREATHE AGAIN," the Daily Express claimed as the Independent asked: "Never in doubt....right?" and the Sun simply called it a "MIRACLE!" On the sports pages the Guardian affirmed: "Yes we can," the Mirror called it the "MIRACLE IN MOSCOW" and the Daily Telegraph simply had "Believe," with a photo of manager Gareth Southgate shouting in celebration.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who made a one-handed save in the shoot-out, was singled out as a "SPOT-PICK HERO" by Star Sport with iSport hailing "A new England" over a photo of the save.
Former England players, many of whom have suffered shoot-out heartbreak, were also exuberant. Gary Lineker, ever-present on Twitter, said on Wednesday after the game: "So this is what it feels like." He followed that up on Thursday morning with: "Had a dream last night that England won a penalty shoot-out. Seems so real."
Ex-captain Alan Shearer said: "Well done boys," Michael Owen tweeted: "GET IN THERE. Last 8 here we come" and Peter Shilton added: "Well done Gareth your team did you proud!" Even Britain's royal family was overjoyed. 
"I couldn't be prouder of @england - a victory in a penalty shootout! You have well and truly earned your place in the last eight of the #world cup and you know the whole country is right behind you for Saturday! Come on England!" Prince William said on Twitter, via Kensington Palace. # Notebook ## Internet links - [UK headlines](http://dpaq.de/1V3ey) - [Kensington Palace Twitter](http://dpaq.de/PRfE9) * * * * The following information is not intended for publication ## Editorial contacts - Reporting by: Bob Bensch in Samara - Editing by: Mark Corrigan