England have successfully navigated the World Cup group stage and now their path to possible World Cup glory in Qatar is clearer.
A thumping win over Iran was followed by a concerningly blunt 0-0 draw with USA, but Marcus Rashford inspired a 3-0 victory over Wales to seal top spot in Group B and a last-16 clash with Group A runners-up Senegal.
The Three Lions will be backed to get the better of a Sadio Mane-less Senegal, setting up a quarter-final against either the winners of Group D or the runners-up of Group C. That is expected to be France, the defending champions who are without Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema but with Kylian Mbappe.
Come through that and the hype train will well and truly have left the station, with England in the semi-finals having knocked out one of the pre-tournament favourites. It would potentially be Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or an extremely efficient Spain side.
Victory for England in that match would send them into the World Cup final for the first time since 1966. There they could face Brazil, looking to put a sixth star on their shirt, for the chance to end the long wait for a major trophy.
England’s possible route to the World Cup final:
Group stage: Iran, USA, Wales
Last-16: Senegal
Quarter-finals: France
Semi-finals: Portugal
Final: Brazil
