England finally gets to find out if this World Cup thing is actually serious or just another summer fantasy. The knockout stage starts Wednesday against DR Congo, and the bracket from there is brutal enough to make you wince.
The Three Lions topped Group L, which sounds better than it felt. They beat Croatia 4-2 in the opener, played a dull 0-0 with Ghana, then handled Panama 2-0. Enough to advance. Not enough to scare anyone. But that’s the group stage for you. It’s about surviving, not making statements.
Win Wednesday and England walks into a nightmare. Co-hosts Mexico are waiting at the Estadio Azteca, that high-altitude bowl where opponents’ lungs burn by the 60th minute. Mexico just knocked off Ecuador 2-0 and they looked sharp doing it. They’ll be fired up to send a European heavyweight packing on home soil.
The Bracket From Hell
If England survives Mexico City, the quarterfinal opponent would likely be Brazil. That’s assuming Brazil handles Norway and Erling Haaland, who’s been scoring like the game owes him money. Brazil is Brazil. They’re never easy.
The semifinal projection gets even worse. Argentina, the defending champions, sit on that side of the bracket. Lionel Messi has been rolling through this tournament like he’s still 25. Argentina has been flawless so far. They face Cape Verde in the round of 32, which should be a mismatch, then either Egypt or Australia in the last 16. The quarterfinal could bring Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana. None of those are easy, but Argentina is Argentina.
England would need to beat Mexico, then Brazil, then Argentina just to reach the final. That’s three consecutive games against elite or highly motivated opposition. Doable? Sure. Likely? The betting odds say no.
The Other Side of the Bracket
On the other half, Spain sits as the top-ranked team in the world. They open against Austria, then likely Portugal in the round of 16. The quarterfinal could be against co-hosts USA, who have been quietly solid. Then France probably waits in the semis. A lot of people think Spain vs. France is the real final, just happening a game early.
England’s group stage results:
June 17: England 4-2 Croatia (Arlington)
June 23: England 0-0 Ghana (Foxborough)
June 27: England 2-0 Panama (New Jersey)
Up next: July 1 vs. DR Congo in Atlanta. Win that, and the real work starts.
Leave a Comment