How England can qualify for the World Cup knockout phases tonight – and who they may play

might seal their place within the tonight, guaranteeing their development with a match to spare in Group L.

’s aspect are prime of Group L on 4 factors, following a formidable opening win in opposition to Croatia and on Tuesday evening.

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The, nevertheless, means England’s place within the last-32 might be secured forward of taking part in Panama of their remaining fixture on Saturday.

England might qualify for the last-32 with no need to kick a ball (Getty)

England are assured to complete within the prime three locations of Group L, with Panama already eradicated as a result of head-to-head tiebreaker following defeats to Ghana and Croatia.

And, with 4 factors, England solely want the third-place staff in 4 of the 12 teams to complete on three factors. There are already two: South Korea in Group A .

How England can qualify for the World Cup knockout phases tonight – and who they may play within the knockout phases

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Thursday 25 June

Fixtures

Curacao vs Ivory Coast (Group E) – 9pm BST

Ecuador vs Germany (Group E) – 9pm BST

Japan vs Sweden (Group F) – 12am BST

Tunisia vs Netherlands (Group F) – 12am BST

Paraguay vs Australia (Group D) – 3am BST

Turkey vs USA (Group D) – 3am BST

What England want:

The one method a staff in Group E finishes third on 4 factors is that if each Ecuador beat Germany and Curacao beat Ivory Coast. A attract both sport, or a win for both Germany or Ivory Coast, would transfer England one step nearer.

In Group F, the present third positioned staff, Sweden, have three factors and face Japan who’re second with 4. England require a victory for Japan so Sweden end on three factors.

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In Group D, Australia and Paraguay are second and third on three factors however meet of their remaining sport. The losers of that match would finish the group with three factors. If mixed with both of the above eventualities, England can be by way of to the last-32 by Friday morning.

Who will England face within the spherical of 32 in the event that they prime Group L?

England would nonetheless have work to do to prime Group L, and can achieve this in the event that they beat Panama and higher Ghana’s outcome in opposition to Croatia. Since England and Ghana drew 0-0, it will come all the way down to purpose distinction to find out who finishes prime if they’re stage on factors. Ghana might overhaul England in the event that they beat Croatia by an enormous scoreline. An England win, mixed with a draw between Ghana and Croatia, or a Croatia win, would verify it.

In that situation, they are going to face the third-place staff from certainly one of Group E/H/I/J/Okay within the spherical of 32. As issues stand, these are the groups that might be within the combine to face the Three Lions:

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Group E: Ecuador, Curacao, Ivory Coast

Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia

Group J: Algeria, Austria

Group Okay: Portugal, DR Congo

Who will England face within the knockouts in the event that they end as runners-up?

If England have been to complete as group runners-up, they are going to face the second-placed staff from Group Okay – that will probably be determined in a shootout between Colombia and Portugal. If Colombia keep away from defeat, it will be Portugal – assuming DR Congo don’t win by an enormous scoreline in opposition to Uzbekistan.

What’s England’s path to the ultimate?

Within the last-16, England might face Group A winners Mexico within the high-altitude cauldron of the Estadio Azteca.

In the event that they overcame that severe check of resolve, Group C winners Brazil might be their quarter-final opponent.

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Argentina, following a effective begin with Lionel Messi’s 5 objectives, might then be their potential semi-final opposition.

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