England and Scotland’s opponents in the first knockout round of the World Cup have become much clearer after Steve Clarke’s side lost 3-0 to Brazil on Thursday morning. As things stands, the Three Lions would face Algeria on July 1 at 5pm, while the Tartan Army would take on co-hosts Mexico on the same day at 2am.
Thomas Tuchel’s were forced to settle for a point in a goalless draw with Ghana in Boston on Tuesday night, a result which leaves them still at the top of the Group L standings.
For Scotland, their chances of qualifying were handed a major blow after their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their Group C clash in Miami on Wednesday night. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. scored a brace in Florida, while Manchester United star Matheus Cunha also found the back of the net.
The defeat leaves Scotland in third place in their group and currently ranked as the sixth-best third-placed team in the World Cup groups so far, but that is likely to change with several more final group games left to play.
As it stands, England would be set to face Algeria in the round of 32 at the World Cup. This game would take place on Wednesday, July 1 in Atlanta with a 5pm kick-off UK time.
There is still time for that to change with England set to face Panama in their final Group L fixture on Saturday, while Algeria will take on Austria in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Scotland, meanwhile, would still manage to book a spot in the knockout stages and would face co-host Mexico in Mexico City. This game would take place on Wednesday, July 1 with kick-off at 2am UK time.
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View 2 ImagesVinicius Junior of Brazil(Image: Carmen Mandato – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The specific third-place team England eventually draws is decided by a complex FIFA combination matrix.
This matrix assigns matchups based on which eight third-placed teams (out of all 12 groups) accumulate enough points to advance.
If Scotland do eventually qualify as a third-placed team from Group C into the knockouts, that would shift the sequence of the table and alter England’s potential opponents.
Even though England won’t play the team from Group C, the inclusion (or elimination) of Group C’s 3rd-place team changes the math of the matrix, potentially altering which team from Group E, H, I, J, or K gets assigned to England
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