The blockbuster contract sends the 33-year-old four-time NBA Most Valuable Player to one of the league’s most iconic clubs, adding to the legacy of such legends as Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.

“LeBron James, four time NBA MVP, three-time NBA finals MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star, and two-time Olympic gold medallist, has agreed to a four-year $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers,” James’ management company Klutch Sports Group said in a statement.

James is considered a rival of retired Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan for the title of greatest player in NBA history.

However, he had endured frustration with the Cleveland Cavaliers, culminating in last month’s clean sweep defeat to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

James and the Cavaliers have been beaten in three out of four NBA Finals against the Warriors since 2015.

James had been linked to several franchises, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets reportedly in the running.

US media reports said the Lakers move was sealed following a meeting late Saturday between James and the team’s president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson.

James, who has a home and production company in Los Angeles, now joins a club with money to spend and a desire to rebuild into a championship team.

The Lakers have failed to reach the playoffs for the past five seasons.

News of James’ arrival at the Lakers sparked a delighted response on Sunday, with basketball legends and Hollywood celebrities lining up to welcome the move.

“Welcome to the family @KingJames #lakers4life #striveforgreatness,” wrote Lakers legend Kobe Bryant on Twitter.

“I am sure the Lakernation is rejoicing. The acquisition of LeBron James means that the Lakers are just a smidgen away from being real contenders,” Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar added.

Former Hollywood action hero and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also weighed in.

“It’s so exciting that you’re coming to the city of stars,” Schwarzenegger said.

“And you’re without going to be the biggest star of all, on the court and off the court. I love it.”

– Mission accomplished –

James, a two-time Olympic champion, left Cleveland before in 2010 for the Miami Heat, where he reached the NBA Finals four times, going 2-2, before departing for the Cavaliers, vowing to bring a title to Cleveland, his home region having grown up in nearby Akron.

That mission was accomplished when the Cavaliers won the 2016 crown with James in the starring role as Cleveland celebrated a sports champion for the first time in 52 years.

“Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible 4 seasons. This will always be home,” James posted on Instagram with a photo of the Cavaliers’ championship parade.

But the Warriors obtained Kevin Durant after that loss and Golden State has gone 8-1 against the Cavs in the two NBA Finals since.

“To be able to be a part of a championship team two years ago with the team that we had and in the fashion that we had is something I will always remember,” James said after the Cavs’ last loss of the finals.

James informed the Cavaliers on Friday that he would not exercise his $35.6 million contract option.

And he also snubbed what could have been the most money and longest deal available, the Cavaliers being able to extend James a five-year contract worth $209 million.

But money and years of security were less a concern than being able to play for a title contender.

The Lakers can offer top money plus talent and draft picks in order to surround James with competitive players enough to challenge the Warriors, who suddenly must contend with James as a Pacific division rival rather than a foe to be faced only twice a season and for the NBA title.

The Lakers have reportedly been in talks with San Antonio for unhappy star Kawhi Leonard.

And while such big names as Chris Paul of Houston and Paul George of Oklahoma City have agreed to terms to stay with their teams, nothing can be signed until Friday — leaving lots of time for players to consider what sort of situation the Lakers with James could offer.

Monday’s other last-16 game sees a much-fancied Belgium take on a Japan side who are dreaming of reaching the quarters for the first time after scraping through their group thanks to their fair-play record.

While Neymar’s Brazil, and a Belgian outfit inspired by Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, are both expected to advance, events of the weekend have shown that nothing can be taken for granted.

Spain, the 2010 winners, were stunned on Sunday as they lost on penalties to Russia in Moscow, with Igor Akinfeev the hero for the hosts, saving two spot-kicks.

Russia won 4-3 in the shoot-out after the tie ended 1-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium, and will now play Croatia in the last eight.

Croatia also won on penalties, defeating Denmark 3-2 in the shoot-out following another 1-1 draw, with Luka Modric having a spot-kick saved late in extra time.

They look like serious contenders, while for Spain their elimination is a disaster — they had been considered among the favourites but had their preparations ruined when coach Julen Lopetegui was sensationally sacked on the eve of the tournament.

They join 2014 winners Germany, Argentina and European champions Portugal in being knocked out of a competition for which neither Italy nor the Netherlands — two of the great World Cup names — even qualified.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two great individuals of the last decade, have gone home, their hopes of ever winning the World Cup probably over.

But Neymar is still dreaming of leading Brazil to glory, and his side take on Mexico in the Volga river port city of Samara (1400 GMT). Coach Tite insists his talisman is now approaching his best form again, four months after undergoing surgery on a fractured foot.

“Now, he’s returned to a very high level. He’s played a lot… I told him, and he knows, about the price he’s had to pay to get back to this level,” said Tite.

– Can Mexico break curse? –

Brazil will be without left-back Marcelo due to a back problem, so Filipe Luis will take his place against a Mexico side not to be taken lightly.

These teams drew 0-0 in the group stage of the last World Cup, and Mexico qualified for the last 16 here at the expense of Germany, beating the holders 1-0 in Moscow in their opening game.

Now, ‘El Tri’ are bidding to end the ‘Curse of the Fifth Game’ — they have never made it to the quarter-finals of a World Cup on foreign soil and have suffered six consecutive eliminations in the first knockout round, not managing to reach that fifth game.

However, coach Juan Carlos Osorio said he was not concerned about past history.

“We don’t talk about that to our players. We spoke about the possibility of coming up against Brazil a few months ago, and here we are,” he said.

The winner of that tie will go on to face the winner of Monday’s other game, which sees Belgium meet Japan in Rostov-on-Don (1800 GMT).

Roberto Martinez’s dangerous side have lived up to their billing so far, winning all three group games. A host of key players were rested for the 1-0 victory against England, including Hazard, Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, but they will return here.

However, Adnan Januzaj, who scored the winner in that match, has suffered a knee knock in training.

This might be the best chance for Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ to win a major trophy after being eliminated in the last eight at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

“This is our time to shine, definitely. We have top players and we play as a group, especially after the win over England,” said Chelsea star Hazard.

“It’s in our hands, we need to give everything and see what happens.”

Japan reached this stage in controversial manner, by virtue of collecting fewer yellow cards in the group phase than Senegal. They have never won a knockout-round game at the competition.

“Maybe Belgium feel the tournament is starting after their three wins, but I’d like to feel we are on a par with them. We have played to our best, but the players have something more to offer,” said coach Akira Nishino.

Federer, the record eight-time champion, opens proceedings on Centre Court against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.

Williams, meanwhile, has been shunted off to Court One where she tackles Dutch outsider Arantxa Rus.

The American returns to the tournament for the first time since claiming a seventh title in 2016 having missed last year to give birth to her daughter.

“I think it remains a little bit nerve-wracking. It’s a big deal,” said Federer on returning to Centre Court and who is marking the 15th anniversary of his first Wimbledon title in 2003.

“Besides the history and the mythical place that it is, you cannot also practice on it.

“The entire atmosphere changes at Wimbledon, and you realise the eyes are on you.”

World number 57 Lajovic will know what to expect — the Serb was beaten by Federer in straight sets in the second round of Wimbledon in 2017.

Federer is the overwhelming favourite to lift a ninth title and 21st career major especially with old rival Rafael Nadal, fresh from an 11th French Open, not having played a grass court warm-up event.

The 36-year-old Swiss star’s odds also improved when two-time champion Ansy Murray withdrew on Sunday with injury.

Three-time winner Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is still struggling with form and confidence so badly bruised by the elbow injury he suffered at Wimbledon 12 months ago.

However, even Federer cannot escape the giant shadow cast on the sporting landscape by the ongoing World Cup.

He was even dragged into a discussion on Sunday over whether or not he and Nadal — 10 years after their epic All England Club final — could be likened to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Sure, yeah. They have a long-standing rivalry. I have the same with Rafa,” Federer said.

“They’re very different from one another. I guess there’s some similarities there as well.”

The All England Club will stick to its policy of refusing to show World Cup matches on its giant screen adjacent to Court One.

The men’s final, meanwhile, will still start at 2pm local time as scheduled on Sunday, July 15 — just two hours before the World Cup final kicks off in Moscow.

Williams, seeded 25 this year despite a ranking of 181, has never played Rus, the world 107 who made the third round in 2012 but failed to get out of qualifying on her last three visits.

Monday’s other Centre Court matches see Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki face Varvara Lepchenko of the United States.

Bulgarian sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov, a semi-finalist in 2014, completes the programme against three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka.

Also getting their campaigns underway on Monday are five-time women’s champion Venus Williams against Johanna Larsson.

Third seeded Marin Cilic, the runner-up to Federer in 2017 and this year’s Queen’s champion, takes on Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was the hero, saving three spot-kicks after the match finished 1-1 following extra time.

“Croatia in a crazy drama broke Denmark with penalties and progressed to the quarter-finals, Subasic hero of the match!” said the Tportal website.

“Subasic, who saved three penalties, was a hero, while Ivan Rakitic scored the decisive penalty,” said the Vecernji List daily paper.

Fans watched the match live on giant screens throughout the country and celebrated the 3-2 win on penalties.

“Subasic saved us! He was an absolute hero of this tough match!” Fran Peric, 20, who watched the match in Zagreb, told AFP.

Fans, many of whom were dressed in Croatia’s red-and-white shirts, were singing patriotic songs, lighting flares and waving Croatian flags.

“Subasic defends three penalties and leads ‘Fiery Ones’,” said the Sportske Novosti paper.

Croatia can match the achievements of the 1998 team, who reached the semi-finals, if they beat Russia in Sochi on Saturday.

.The 24-year-old from Seoul, last year’s US Women’s Open champion, defeated compatriot Ryu So-yeon, denying her bid to reclaim the world number one ranking, and Japanese teen star Nasa Hataoka in the playoff to capture the $547,500 top prize.

“It was a really long round today and I still can’t believe I’m sitting next to this trophy,” Park said.

Hataoka and the South Koreans each finished 72 holes at Kemper Lakes deadlocked at 10-under par 278.

Fifth-ranked Ryu and sixth-ranked Park each birdied the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th, while Nataoka was eliminated with a par.

The Koreans, who shared LPGA Player of the Year honors in 2017, reached the green at the par-4 16th, the second playoff role, when play was suspended for dangerous weather in the area, halting the drama at its peak for 20 minutes as the tension mounted.

When play resumed, Ryu missed her birdie putt and Park sank hers for the victory then broke into tears.

“I got less nervous during the playoff. I was even joking,” Park said.

“I was a little worried, but even though it was a tough week, I feel like I played really well. All the hard work paid off and that’s what made me cry.”

Park, last year’s LPGA Rookie of the Year, won her second title of the year after the LPGA Texas Classic in May. It was her fourth LPGA title overall after last year’s US and Canadian Women’s Open crowns.

– Seeing positives –

Ryu, who won last year’s ANA Inspiration and the 2011 US Women’s Open, took her first title of the year two weeks ago at the LPGA Meijer Classic and hoped to more one step closer to a career Grand Slam.

“I did my best,” Ryu said. “If I look back, nothing I can do any better than that. I just did 100 percent effort. Every shot, every putt and still looking at the positive side. This is my best finish for this tournament, so hopefully it’s going to keep improving, and one day I want to lift that trophy.”

Ryu, who turned 28 on Friday, would have overtaken Park Sung-hyun atop the rankings with a victory after starting the day with a three-stroke lead.

Hataoka, 19, won her first LPGA title last week in Arkansas and with more than $546,000 in the past eight days has eclipsed her prior career earnings.

In the final round, Ryu stumbled with a double bogey at the par-4 second and Park birdied the par-3 third and par-5 fourth to seize a share of the lead.

But Ryu birdied the par-3 sixth and par-5 seventh to restore a two-stroke edge at 11-under.

Ryu added a birdie at the par-5 11th but took a bogey at the par-3 13th to stand only one ahead of Nataoka, with Park closing to within one after a birdie at 14.

Ryu responded with a birdie at the 16th, giving her a two-shot lead, but found water at the par-3 17th and made a double bogey, falling back level with Nataoka and Park, who both parred 18 to force extra holes.

The 15-under par overall performance landed the first professional title for He. It also marks He down in history, as she claims the crown at the first LPGA Tour family event contested at a course owned and operated by the PGA TOUR.

“Feels amazing, I mean it’s my first win on the Symetra Tour,” said He. “It’s so special that I was able to do it at such a beautiful golf course and with such great sponsors around us.”

After spending two semesters at the University of Southern California (USC), He turned pro in December. The transition from amateur to professional He said has proved to be difficult, even though she only missed the cut on three occasions over her first nine career Symetra Tour starts.

Now in the winner’s circle, this moment is a culmination of all the work the 19-year-old has devoted to improving her game.

“It proves to me that if I stay consistent and play my best, I’m able to hold up a pretty good position,” said He, who collected a $15,000 winner’s check after raising the Prasco Charity Championship trophy. “Everyone out here is so talented so sometimes my best may not be enough. All that really matters is I’m giving it my best every single day.”

When she walked off No. 18 green, He had turned in a near-perfect showing from start to finish. She collected 13 birdies and two eagles, with only one blemish—a double bogey on No. 13 in the second round.

Furthermore, He hit 39-of-42 fairways, averaged 28 putts per round and found 45-of-54 greens in regulation. Playing in the final pairing today may have only added another level to the pressure she already faced, with heat index readings soaring well over the 100-degree threshold, but He passed the test with flying colors.

“It’s always nerve-racking being in the last group and having people come out to watch you play,” He said. “With my dad being on the bag, it has been a lot easier than it would have been without him. The front nine I had a lot of birdie opportunities that I missed, probably due to nerves. Eventually, the eagle [on 9] helped to soothe it all away.”

The other half of the last group off No. 1 tee this afternoon was Becca Huffer (Denver, Colorado). She signed a 2-under par 70 scorecard today to finish in solo second, a career-best result for the University of Notre Dame alumna.

“It was a lot of fun, Muni was playing really great today,” said Huffer, who recorded four birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double bogey in the final round. “Kind of seeing if I could get some more birdies going and give a bit of pressure to her, but she was playing awesome. I’m feeling really good about my game, especially going into the second half of the season.”

Next week, the official qualifying Tour of the LPGA takes a hiatus, but will return for a three-week stretch starting with the Donald Ross Classic in French Lick, Ind., at French Lick Resort from July 12-14.

VOLVIK RACE FOR THE CARD STANDINGS

Another tournament in the books means another juggling act when it comes to the Volvik Race for the Card top-10, except not this week.

Following her win and $15,000 winner’s check, Muni He moves up 34 spots to No. 13, having earned $24,044 through 10 events. Here is a look at the current top-10 heading into the week off and before the 11th stop on the road to the LPGA:

1. Jenny Haglund (Karlstad, Sweden) – $49,751
2. Dottie Ardina (Laguna, Philippines) – $40,305
3. Elizabeth Szokol (Winnetka, Illinois) – $38,869
4. Isi Gabsa (Munich, Germany) – $37,467
5. Ruixin Liu (Dalian, China) – $37,301
6. Stephanie Meadow (Jordanstown, Northern Ireland) – $36,995
7. Vicky Hurst (Melbourne, Florida) – $34,007
8. Pajaree Anannarukarn (Bangkok, Thailand) – $30,193
9. Min Seo Kwak (Seoul, Republic of Korea) – $27,334
10. Maia Schechter (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) – $24,984

Murray has only just returned to action after 11 months on the sidelines due to a hip injury that needed surgery in January.

“It’s with regret I’m withdrawing from Wimbledon,” Murray said in a statement on Sunday.

“I’ve made significant progress in practice and matches over the last 10 days but, after lengthy discussions with my team and with a heavy heart, we’ve decided that playing best-of-five-set matches might be a bit too soon in the recovery process.”

Murray was due to play France’s Benoit Paire in the first round on Tuesday, but he had admitted on Sunday morning that there was a chance he could pull out if his body didn’t feel right.

Just hours later, Murray dropped his bombshell, ending his hopes of adding another Wimbledon crown to those he collected in 2013 and 2016.

The 31-year-old Scot, whose ranking is down to 156, had played just three matches since making his comeback last week.

Murray was beaten by Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s Club then saw off Stan Wawrinka at Eastbourne on Monday, but the former world number on lost to Kyle Edmund on Wednesday.

After pushing his body in practice sessions at the All England Club over the last few days, Murray has opted against risking a further injury setback with a view to playing the American hard-court swing that culminates in the US Open.

He is next scheduled to play in Washington beginning on July 30.

“We did everything we could to try to be ready in time. I will start practising on the hard courts from tomorrow and continuing with my rehab and recovery and I’m looking forward to the US hard-court season,” Murray added.

“Thanks for all the messages of support and I’m excited to finally be back playing after so long out.”

– ‘Taking it day by day’ –

Murray’s place in the draw goes to Jason Jung of Taiwan, the world number 154 who has just one win on the main tour in 2018.

The American-born 29-year-old has never played a main draw match at the Slams.

Murray’s hip problems played a huge role in his Wimbledon quarter-final defeat against Sam Querrey 12 months ago.

Since then, he has made late withdrawals from the US and Australian Opens, while also skipping the recent French Open.

Now he will miss his home Grand Slam for the first time since a wrist injury kept him away in 2007.

Murray’s ranking will plummet to outside the top 800 as a result of his absence from Wimbledon.

While he insisted over the weekend that he still loved tennis too much to walk away yet, it remains to seen if he can ever recapture the form that made him Britain’s finest male player since Fred Perry.

Speaking earlier on Sunday before deciding not to take his practice session at Wimbledon, Murray had outlined his problems on the road to recovery.

“I am taking it literally each day. Some days I feel better than others,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.

“Some days I wake up and don’t feel quite as good as others. It is a bit of stiffness, a bit of soreness, which is kind of normal based on the intensity I am practising at, compared to where I was even three or four weeks ago.”

Veteran Russia centre-back Sergei Ignashevich gifted Spain the opening goal on 12 minutes in Moscow when he unwittingly turned into his own net after grappling with Sergio Ramos.

Russia hit back just before the interval as Artem Dzyuba nervelessly converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Gerard Pique.

Spain controlled the game as expected but struggled to create genuine chances, with Akinfeev sharp on the few occasions they did before saving from Koke and Iago Aspas to seal a 4-3 win on penalties.

“We are having a fantastic World Cup,” said Akinfeev.

“Not just our fans, but the fans of other countries got a sense of this atmosphere and understood that Russians really know how to play football and want to play football.”

Russia will meet either Croatia or Denmark for a place in the semi-finals, as Spain’s rotten run against hosts nation at major tournaments continued.

Fernando Hierro made the bold decision to drop Andres Iniesta for Koke in central midfield, with Marco Asensio handed his first start of the competition.

Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov left out leading scorer Denis Cheryshev, opting for three central defenders in a conservative 5-3-2 formation.

It was Nacho, in for Dani Carvajal at right-back, who won the free-kick that led to Spain taking the lead as he was caught by Yury Zhirkov to the right of the penalty area.

Asensio, who made two brief substitute appearances in the group stage, whipped in dangerously to the far post where the ball looped in off an unsighted Ignashevich as he tussled with Ramos.

Spain dominated the first 30 minutes, pressing Russia heavily as the hosts struggled to advance beyond the halfway line in humid conditions.

Aleksandr Golovin carved out their first chance of note, starting a move with a jinking run before bending just wide of David de Gea’s left-hand post.

Isco produced a series of regal touches with Spain’s King Felipe VI among those in the crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium, but Russia equalised shortly before half-time.

Russia’s goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (R) celebrates with Russia’s coach Stanislav Cherchesov

– Pique penalised –

A deep corner was met by Dzyuba, whose header struck the outstretched arm of Pique, with referee Bjorn Kuipers contemplating his decision before pointing to the spot.

Dzyuba calmly sent De Gea the wrong with his penalty to join Cheryshev on a team-leading three goals.

Akinfeev snuffed out an opening for Diego Costa on the stroke of half-time as the Spain striker tried to latch onto a through ball.

The Russia goalkeeper was again involved early in the second half, flying to his left to pluck a spinning Jordi Alba effort from the air.

Cherchesov introduced Cheryshev for Alexander Samedov on the hour, a move greeted by a deafening roar from the home support.

Iniesta replaced David Silva, while Costa was withdrawn for Aspas, and the two substitutes went close to winning it late in regulation time.

A low 20-yard drive heading towards was palmed away by at Akinfeev at full stretch, with the angled follow-up from Aspas also pushed to safety.

Aspas nearly picked out Carvajal with a cut-back seconds into the start of extra time, which saw Aleksandr Erokhin come on as Russia’s fourth sub — the first time the rule has been applied at the World Cup.

Spain followed suit as Rodrigo replaced Asensio, and the former went closest to ending the impasse, sprinting towards goal after a clever dummy only for Akinfeev to claw his shot away before the rebound from Koke was blocked.

Russia endured a tense wait when Kuipers was in communication with the video assistant referee following a late tug on Pique in the box, before Akinfeev’s shootout heroics clinched an unforgettable triumph.

On a night of late, late drama Ivan Rakitic stroked home the decisive spotkick to ensure the Croats advanced to a last eight meeting with Russia after the two sides finished locked at 1-1 following extra-time.

The Barcelona midfielder’s winner came after Milan Badelj and Josip Pivaric saw their penalties saved by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who also saved an extra time penalty from Luka Modric.

But Danes Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen were thwarted by Subasic in the shootout to ensure Croatia won 3-2 and advanced to their first quarter-finals since the 1998 World Cup in France.

The dramatic ending followed early excitement — but little in between.

In an astonishing start to the match, both teams scored within four minutes via their first attacks.

First, Mathias Jorgensen turned home in the second minute after Croatia failed to clear a long throw-in from Jonas Knudsen, the defender’s shot creeping under Subasic to give Denmark the perfect start.

But any hopes they could hold onto their lead vanished within 90 seconds.

With the Nizhny Novgorod stadium still rocking from the frantic start, Croatia went upfield and promptly equalised.

Again, the goal owed more than a little to bad defending when a Sime Vrsaljko cross was hammered by Henrik Dalsgaard into fellow Dane Andreas Christensen and the ball fell obligingly in the penalty area to Mario Mandzukic who scored.

The explosive start — both sides hit the back of the net within three minutes and thirty seven seconds — was officially the quickest two teams have ever scored in a World Cup finals match.

The following 116 minutes though largely failed to live up to the first four, fireworks giving way to a damp squib of an encounter as the game edged inexorably towards extra time and penalties.

Billed as a clash between the opposing number 10s, Modric and Eriksen, it instead became increasingly attritional and tactical, with both playmakers unable to find any space.

Instead the player who created most chances was Knudsen with his long throws.

Few clear chances were created by either side until Modric’s late penalty miss.

That came after Ante Rebic was fouled in the 116th minute Mathias Jorgensen, with the goal at his mercy.

Modric stepped up but side-footed weakly and Schmeichel made the first of his three penalty saves on the night, all in vain, as his legendary goalkeeping father Peter punched the air in delight as he watched on in the stands.

Penalties have been the death of England at six of the last 12 major tournaments and in that time, they have won only once, against Spain at Euro ’96.

Gareth Southgate’s playing career was defined by the shot he side-footed into the hands of Andreas Kopke as England then lost in the semi-finals at Wembley to Germany.

“I have had a couple of decades thinking it through,” Southgate said last week.

His experience has informed his own approach now as coach, with a last 16 tie against Colombia to come on Tuesday and the possibility of penalties looming again.

Southgate was in the World Cup squad in 1998 under Glenn Hoddle, who believed shoot-outs were a lottery, impossible to replicate in training and therefore not worth any form of practice.

England duly lost to Argentina on spot-kicks and missed out on the quarter-finals.

If there is one thing Southgate has been determined to drill into the preparation of his players, it is that penalty shoot-outs are not decided by chance.

“It’s definitely not chance,” Marcus Rashford said from England’s training base in Repino on Sunday.

“It’s a skill and every skill takes time to learn and to perfect. It’s never a chance. It’s just about being able to perform it with pressure.”

England have been practising penalties since March. The players rehearse the walk from the halfway line as well as their shot. Southgate has deployed video analysts and psychometric testing to gauge his most reliable takers.

“There have been occasions where you even tell the goalkeepers which way you’re going so it has to be the perfect penalty,” Rashford said.

England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has saved five out of 30 penalties faced during matches, a similar record to his two back-ups, Jack Butland, whose record is four from 25, and Nick Pope, who is three from 13.

It is standard practice now for keepers to study their opponents’ habits, even if Pickford was left stumped when Tunisia’s Ferjani Sassi stepped up in England’s opening match.

“The lad who scored it had never taken a pen before. I was struggling with where to go,” Pickford said. “I got fingertips on it and went the right way, which is promising.”

Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois has suggested Pickford, at 1.85 metres tall, carries a disadvantage but Colombia’s stopper David Ospina is even smaller at 1.83 metres.

England might take heart too from Ospina’s record. In spot-kicks awarded during games, he has saved only three out of 38 and one in his last 15. In shoot-outs, he helped Colombia past Peru in the Copa America two years ago by blocking Miguel Trauco’s effort with his legs.

For England, half the battle will surely be mental. How heavy will the past weigh on the present?

“We can’t change the past, it’s gone now,” Rashford said.

“All we can look forward to is what is in front of us and I don’t think we ever think about that type of thing with England. It would put you on a bit of a downer.

“We understand it but that record is definitely not something that is on our minds.”

Rashford said he would be willing to put his hand up, as did Dele Alli when he was asked on Saturday.

Harry Kane, who slammed two penalties into the top corner against Panama, would certainly be one of the five, while Jamie Vardy, who takes them for Leicester, is an option off the bench.

Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker could also be on Southgate’s list.

“You have to control it, you have to own it,” Alli said. “I’m confident in myself and what’s meant to be will be.

“We’ve got to try to work hard on the penalties and we have been, we’re trying to own the situation, not let it own us. It’s changed the whole mindset for us.”