Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final?

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England drew with Ghana but beat Croatia and Panama to top Group L with seven points England have qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup by winning their group. The Three Lions weren't always in top form, but with seven points from three matches, did enough to finish ahead of Croatia in second, third-placed Ghana, and bottom side Panama. Now that the group stage has concluded, Thomas Tuchel's men know the path they must negotiate if they are to reach the final. If they manage it, it will be their third major tournament final of the decade. England's reward for progressing to the knockout rounds is a tie in Atlanta with DR Congo, who finished third in Group K after drawing with Portugal, losing to Colombia, and beating Uzbekistan. The Leopards are ranked 46th in the world, conceded only three goals in those three group-stage fixtures, and boast significant Premier League experience in Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa, West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley centre-back Axel Tuanzebe and Sunderland left-back Arthur Masuaku. They became the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to qualify for the World Cup in 1974, under their former name Zaire, and in their second finals appearance, are now competing in the knockout stages for the first time. They were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Algeria in the last 16 in January. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, DR Congo are one of nine African teams to reach the knockout stages, alongside Algeria, South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal and Ghana If England progress to the second knockout round, they could face co-hosts Mexico, one of only three teams to win all three of their group-stage fixtures. They have been helped by playing all three of their matches on home soil, and the early knockout rounds will be the same - both their last-32 tie with Ecuador and the potential last-16 game against England will take place in Mexico City's 87,500-capacity Estadio Azteca. Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024 - a run of 12 matches unbeaten. Ecuador, meanwhile, finished third in Group E after securing a dramatic 2-1 win over Germany in the final round of matches. They haven't conceded more than one goal in any match in over two years, a run stretching 26 games. The Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with that kind of altitude potentially causing shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and fatigue for players who are not used to it. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mexico do not boast too many standout individuals, but demonstrated a resolute work ethic and strong self-belief in the group, scoring six goals and conceding none Now, this is where things being to look more difficult. Five-time winners Brazil are in England's section of the draw and are potential quarter-final opponents, but Carlo Ancelotti's men would first have to overcome Japan in the last 32. Vinicius Jr. and co topped Group C - knocking out Scotland in the process - but were unconvincing on the one occasion they were truly tested, drawing 1-1 with Morocco in their opening fixture. Japan, meanwhile, looked strong technically and tactically as they finished second behind the Netherlands in Group F, and have not lost in any of their past 16 matches, beating England 1-0 in a friendly at Wembley in March. The two other possible quarter-final opponents for England are Ivory Coast and Norway, who will face each other in the last 32. Ivory Coast have impressive attackers including RB Leipzig's teenage superstar Yan Diomande, Inter's Ange-Yoan Bonny and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo. They finished second behind Germany in the group stage. And Norway, who finished second behind France in Group I, have impressed in their first World Cup appearance since 1998. With Manchester City's Erling Haaland up front, they would pose a significant threat. If England reach this stage, they will be playing in Miami. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vinicius Jr scored four goals and assisted another in the group stage We're getting a fair bit ahead now, but if England were to make it this far, they could face the defending champions. Perhaps the favourites to reach this stage would be Argentina, who won all three of their group stage games as the talismanic Lionel Messi continued delivering on all the biggest stage of allin the month he turned 39, scoring five goals. Their first knockout round tie is against surprise package Cape Verde, before a last-16 match against whoever wins between Australia and Egypt. Also in this section of the draw are Colombia, who would face Argentina in the quarter-final if both nations win their first two knockout fixtures. They topped their group, ahead of Portugal, having won two of their three ma

Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final?

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Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final?

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