England U17 0 Japan U17 0 (England win 5-3 on penalties): Curtis Anderson is the hero as he saves one and scores in last-16 shootout
After a tense 90 minutes in Kolkata, England held their nerve from the spot to set up a quarter-final showdown with USA
CURTIS ANDERSON was the hero as England progressed through to the Under-17 World Cup quarter finals after a tense shootout with Japan.
After a topsy-turvy 90 minutes full of chances and missed opportunities, the Manchester City stopper saved Hinata Kida's spot-kick - then got up to smash home the next.
It sets up a quarter-final tie with the USA for Steve Cooper's Young Lions, who struggled to last in the 29 degree heat.
England were without star player Jadon Sancho, who controversially returned to Dortmund after helping the side to a perfect passage through the group stages.
But with Callum Hudson-Ndoi in his place, the young side instead had to deal with an energetic but erratic Japanese side who were constantly pressing from the first whistle.
Liverpool's Rhian Brewster had the best chance of the first 45 minutes, latching onto a through-ball from Phil Foden but crashing his shot into the right-hand upright.
Between the sticks, Japanese keeper Kosei Tani continually kicked the ball out of play - resulting in wave after wave of England attacks.
But the sides went in level, Foden unlucky with a deflected effort in stoppage time.
After the break, initially Japan looked happy to soak up pressure, allowing Foden and George McEachran to go close.
Yet as the half wore on, the Young Lions began to wane in the scorching temperatures - and Japan took full advantage.
They came close through Kubo and the impressive striker Taisei Miyashiro, but couldn't find a way past Anderson in the England goal.
And the City stopper had the last say when it came down to the lottery of penalties, confidently saving the third from Kida and then slamming home himself into the left corner.
All five takers netted - with the winning strike from substitute Nya Kirkby slamming in off the post - sending the Cubs into a quarter-final showdown with the impressive USA.