England‘s bid to end 60 years of hurt on the global stage continues after beating DR Congo in their first World Cup knockout-stage clash.
The Three Lions topped Group L but had to really battle to progress, falling behind early and toiling for some time until captain Harry Kane struck twice.
Co-hosts Mexico now await them in the high-altitude cauldron of the Estadio Azteca for a blockbuster last-16 tie. Mexico impressed in a dominant 2-0 win against fellow dark horses Ecuador on Tuesday night and will be relish the chance to down one of the tournament’s biggest hitters.
If they overcome that serious test of resolve, Brazil would likely be their quarter-final opponent going off Fifa ranking – though the Selecao must put a stop to Erling Haaland’s free-scoring Norway to progress to the last-eight.
England would then expect to face Argentina, following a flawless group-stage campaign inspired by Lionel Messi, in the semi-finals – if all goes as predicted.
Argentina face World Cup surprise package Cape Verde in the round of 32, though the tiny African island country would need to pull off their biggest shock yet to eliminate the holders. Egypt or Australia await in the last-16 before crossing paths with one of Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana in the quarters.
If England can get all the way, they’d share the final with top-ranked Spain – though La Roja will also have to produce some statement results to get there. They face Austria in the round of 32 but will likely come up against Portugal in the last-16, before potentially meeting hosts USA in the quarter-finals. Then in the semi-finals, a mammoth tie against France is expected to take place, which many think could prove the unofficial final of the two best teams on the planet.
England’s possible route to World Cup final:
Group fixtures
17 June: England 4-2 Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Arlington
23 June: England 0-0 Ghana | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
27 June: England 2-0 Panama | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Round of 32
1 July: England 2-1 DR Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Round of 16
5 July: England vs Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Quarter-final
11 July: England vs Brazil / Norway | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Semi-final
15 July: England vs Argentina / Egypt / Switzerland / Colombia or Ghana | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Final
19 July: England vs Spain / Portugal / USA / Belgium / Canada / Morocco / Paraguay / France | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
