The World Cup knockout stage fixtures are finally set in stone after the conclusion of the final group games this evening. England know they’ll face DR Congo in their round of 32 fixture after topping the group following a 2-0 win over Panama.
Harry Kane etched his name into the history books as England’s greatest World Cup scorer as Thomas Tuchel’s men overcame a stubborn Panama outfit. From an exciting win over Croatia to a tepid stalemate with Ghana, the back-to-back European Championship finalists shook off a sluggish opening to win at MetLife Stadium.
England had already secured their spot in the last 32 following Friday’s results and clinched top position in Group L with a 2-0 victory, setting up a last-32 clash DR Congo after coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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There are some tasty ties in the knockout stages with France taking on Sweden, while Germany takes on Paraguay, and the winners of both games will meet in the last 16. Portugal, who finished runners-up in their group, will take on Croatia, with Spain or Austria awaiting the winner in the last 16.
The Three Lions will take on DR Congo in Atlanta on July 1, with the winner facing either Mexico or Ecuador in Mexico City on July 6.
- South Africa vs Canada
- Germany vs Paraguay
- Netherlands vs Morocco
- Brazil vs Japan
- France vs Sweden
- Ivory Coast vs Norway
- Mexico vs Ecuador
- England vs DR Congo
- USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Belgium vs Senegal
- Portugal vs Croatia
- Spain vs Austria
- Switzerland vs Algeria
- Argentina vs Cape Verde
- Colombia vs Ghana
- Australia vs Egypt
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All eyes are now on England’s knockout campaign and Thomas Tuchel has no issues with how the Three Lions had to navigate their way through the win against Panama.
“We had a difficult game,” Tuchel said. “Everyone watched this close from the sidelines saw the physicality of the game. We saw a team that didn’t allow any chances in their first two matches. They conceded in the 95th minute from a counter-attack against Ghana. They conceded from a half chance against Croatia, from two shots on target.
“We managed to score two and create half chances and created in the match more chances. We knew that it’s physical, we that it’s difficult to control the counter attacks.
“We knew that they play from the role of an underdog. We knew all these things. I know as a coach what it takes to win these matches.
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“There is no problem if these matches feel tight, if these matches feel tough. It will help us in the next match, and this is where I am at the moment.”
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