England have unexpectedly left it to the last game to win Group I of European Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and seal a place in Qatar next year.
A slip up at home to Hungary last month meant that Gareth Southgate’s side had to gain four points from their final two games against Albania and San Marino to win the group, after Poland cut the gap to just three points.
But after Friday’s victory over Albania at a sold-out Wembley, just a point is needed in their final fixture against San Marino.
Their hosts sit bottom of the group and have lost every game, with a defeat away to Hungary coming on Friday night, giving England a superb chance to make it to next year's tournament.
The reverse fixture in this group came back in March when goals from James Ward-Prowse, Raheem Sterling, Ollie Watkins and a Dominic Calvert-Lewin double earned the Three Lions a 5-0 victory at Wembley.
What will the score be when England face San Marino on Monday? Have your say in the comments section .
Team news
Southgate’s initial 25-man squad was quickly trimmed down after Marcus Rashford (fitness), James Ward-Prowse and Declan Rice (both ill) withdrew from the squad before the Albania game.
Mason Mount (dental) and Luke Shaw (concussion) missed out on Friday’s victory at Wembley and will not travel for this game, along with Jordan Henderson (injured), Jack Grealish (injured) and Raheem Sterling (personal matter).
In the absence of Rashford and Ward-Prowse, Emile Smith-Rowe was granted his first senior call-up and Southgate may give the youngster some valuable minutes in this clash, while Crystal Palace's Conor Gallagher has also joined the squad ahead of this game for his first involvement in the England senior set-up.
Squad rotation may also see the likes of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Tammy Abraham come into the fore as well, but whether that will be from the start remains to be seen.
Either way, no matter what side Southgate puts out, it should be strong enough to defeat San Marino.
San Marino’s captain Davide Simoncini and fellow experienced defenders Mirko Palazzi and Cristian Brolli are not part of the squad, but Dante Rossi has made a return at their expense.
Form
San Marino last five (all comps): LLLLL
England last five (all comps): WDWDW
Injuries
San Marino: None
England: Rashford (unfit), Mount (dental), Shaw (concussion), Henderson (fitness), Grealish (fitness)
Expectations for England's 16th World Cup
Despite the last-minute goal conceded away to Poland to draw 1-1 back in September, it was still expected that England wouldn’t be leaving it until their final game against San Marino to wrap up qualification.
Yet a flat performance at home to Hungary last month resulted in another 1-1 draw and allowed Poland to close the gap to three points.
It would take something special for England to not beat San Marino on Monday, so it can be assumed the Three Lions have sealed their place in Qatar next year - their 16th appearance at this tournament.
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Despite weaknesses shown in the stalemates with Poland and Hungary, England should still have high hopes and expectations in Qatar with the never ending pool of talent that seems to be coming through the ranks for Southgate.
Anything can happen within the next year but expect a squad selection headache for England’s manager, who is looking to make it third time lucky at a tournament after the semi-final heartache at the 2018 World Cup and in the final of Euro 2020.
