World Cup 2018: England’s Fabian Delph thanks Jordan Henderson’s missed penalty for the birth of his daughter

Delph returned home for five days after the group stage in order to be there with his wife, and watched the rest of the squad squeak past the Colombians on television

Fabian Delph said the nervous energy of watching England’s tense penalty shootout win over Colombia induced the birth of his daughter.

Delph returned home for five days after the group stage in order to be there with his wife, and watched the rest of the squad squeak past the Colombians on television.

After the birth of his third child he returned to England’s training camp in Repino, and was brought on as a substitute by Gareth Southgate in Saturday’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Sweden.

“It is hard to put into words,” Delph said of his memorable past few days. “It has been an amazing week. Thanks to Gareth for letting me go home for the birth of my third child. It was hard for me. I think it was the penalties that brought on the labour. I’ve got Hendo to thank for that. To go to the next round is amazing.

“It is crazy (having made a trip back to the UK). I tried to explain to some of the boys what is like back home. We are in our bubble out here. But it is scary. Even people who are not into football. I was getting stopped on the school run.

“The baby is fantastic. It was our third home birth. My wife is a machine. We are caught in two minds on the name. It has been great and I am so happy to have gone home to share that moment.”