"[Playing] England in the knockout stage? I will always give the same answer. Every team who has reached round of 16 is good. England are a young team, but balanced and self-confident. They passed the group stage quite easily. Now there will be quite different matches. These will be a life-or-death games, extreme situation. I think England have players who are capable to show themselves in such matches, but we also have such players," Pekerman said.

He added that his side played well, used their chances and managed to throw Colombia off their game.

Colombia edged out Senegal 1-0 in their final Group H game in Samara on Thursday to move into the round of 16 at the World Cup, where they will face either England or Belgium.