Colombian assistant coach Eduardo Urtasun was seen on television replays running into Sterling, prompting a confused response from the England forward as he joined Jesse Lingard at the mouth of the tunnel.

The Manchester City star did well not to react to the obvious provocation, and speaking after the penalty shootout victory in Moscow on Tuesday, he admitted that he was prepared for such tactics to be used by the Colombians.

England vs Colombia penalty shootout Show all 35 1 /35 England vs Colombia penalty shootout England vs Colombia penalty shootout England celebrate after winning the penalty shootout AP England vs Colombia penalty shootout Colombia and England players during the penalty shootout REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Radamel Falcao scored the first penalty for Colombia REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 03: Radamel Falcao of Colombia celebrates scoring his team's first penalty in the penalty shoot out during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Clive Rose Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Harry Kane scored England's first REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout England players react REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Juan Cuadrado scored Colombia's second penalty REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Marcus Rashford scores England's second penalty REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England's Marcus Rashford scores a penalty during the shootout REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach KAI PFAFFENBACH REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Luis Muriel scored Colombia's third penalty REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Luis Muriel celebrates scoring REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Colombia's team players react AFP/Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Henderson has his penalty saved Reuters England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Henderson reacts after missing a penalty REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Mateus Uribe took Colombia's fourth and hit the bar EPA England vs Colombia penalty shootout Mateus Uribe reacts after he missed REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 Colombia's Mateus Uribe looks dejected after missing his penalty during the shootout REUTERS/Carl Recine CARL RECINE REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Kieran Trippier scored England's fourth penalty REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Kieran Trippier celebrating scoring Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England players react during the penalty shootout REUTERS/Carl Recine CARL RECINE REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford saves the fifth penalty from Carlos Bacca Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford saves Carlos Bacca's penalty REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout Eric Dier scores England's fifth penalty, winning them the shootout Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Soccer Football - World Cup - Round of 16 - Colombia vs England - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 3, 2018 England players celebrate while Colombia react after the penalty shootout REUTERS/Christian Hartmann TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY CHRISTIAN HARTMANN REUTERS England vs Colombia penalty shootout David Ospina reacts after losing AP England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford reacts during the penalty shootout EPA England vs Colombia penalty shootout England's players celebrate after they defeated Colombia AP England vs Colombia penalty shootout Luis Muriel and Radamel Falcao commiserate with a team mate after defeat PA England vs Colombia penalty shootout England players race to Jordan Pickford Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford is mobbed by teammates Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout England's players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout AFP/Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout England players celebrate winning the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2018, round of 16 match at the Spartak Stadium, Moscow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 3, 2018. See PA story WORLDCUP Colombia. Photo credit should read: Tim Goode/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use with any unofficial 3rd party logos. No manipulation of images. No video emulation Tim Goode PA England vs Colombia penalty shootout Colombia react after losing EPA England vs Colombia penalty shootout England's players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Colombia and England at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Alexander NEMENOV / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images ALEXANDER NEMENOV AFP/Getty Images England vs Colombia penalty shootout Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard celebrate winning the penalty shootout REUTERS

“I just remember running in and someone stepped in front of me,” Sterling said. “I just kinda looked back at him. But we knew their gameplan and what they were trying to do. We knew what would get thrown at us and that was kinda silly from him.

“We just keep going and black that out and focus on the ­football. They were a physical team. They were trying to do everything they could to get into our heads but we kept cool – and that’s the most important thing.”

Having been given the rough treatment on the pitch as well as off it – Colombia picked up six yellow cards to England’s two – England have been praised for fighting fire with fire without crossing the line, and Sterling’s composure when confronted by Urtasun was a clear sign that Gareth Southgate’s side were doing their best not to get rattled.

Sterling was barged by a member of the Colombia coaching staff at the end of the first half (ITV)

Sterling went on to reveal that Southgate had seen these tactics coming before the World Cup, and had suitably prepared his side to counter that prospect.

Southgate prepared his players for any aggressive tactics (AP)