England will play DR Congo for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday, but faced a wait to discover their last-32 opponents.
They knew they would face one of the sides who finished third in another group, and had the Central African nation lost to or drawn with Uzbekistan, England would have likely faced Senegal.
However, after sparking a second-half comeback – including two goals from Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa – the World Cup minnows ran out 3-1 winners, finishing third in their group behind Colombia and Portugal.
The clash is sure to command huge viewing figures back home on Wednesday, as it kicks off at 5pm.
England, 42 places ahead of their opponents in the FIFA world rankings at No4, will be favourites – and they have avoided a tricky test in Senegal, who will now play Belgium.
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After beating Panama to top Group L, England will face a tricky test against DR Congo in their Round of 32 match
Papa Thiaw’s side inflicted a 3-1 defeat on England in a friendly in Nottingham last June. Then, Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr was among the goalscorers – and he has scored three goals at this World Cup already.
After that defeat at the City Ground, England forward Harry Kane said: ‘We got punished. We were playing against a good side.’
Senegal – known as the Lions of Teranga – also won the Africa Cup of Nations in January – before being stripped of the title for leaving the field of play in protest at a penalty decision in the final against Morocco.
They have underwhelmed in this tournament, though – losing 3-1 to France in their opener after failing to capitalise on a strong first-half showing and then 3-2 to Norway. Their 5-0 drubbing of Iraq secured third spot.
DR Congo meanwhile have surpassed expectations Stateside at their second World Cup, holding Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to a draw in their opening match, before narrowly losing to Colombia.
As well as Wissa, they boast other English-based stars including Sunderland’ defender Arthur Masuaku and former Manchester United defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka – now of West Ham – and Axel Tuanzebe, now at Burnley.
Former Chelsea man Gael Kakuta is also part of the squad.
If England can get past DR Congo, they will face the winners of Mexico and Ecuador in the last 16.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. DR Congo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 2. Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 3. Ghana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4. Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 5. Bosnia & Herzegovina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| 6. Algeria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 4 |
| 7. Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| 8. Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 9. Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 10. Korea Republic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 11. Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| 12. Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
Likely quarter-final opponents could be either Brazil, who will play Japan in their Round of 32 match, or Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Should the favourites continue to progress, England could face Argentina in the semi-finals, with tournament standouts France potential opponents in the final on July 19.
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