England moved into the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup as they claimed a 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday.
Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka helped the Three Lions keep their bid for glory in Qatar on track with victory at Al Bayt Stadium.
The comfortable nature of the victory will only fuel England fans’ belief that their 56-year wait for silverware is about to come to an end.
Here’s what their journey to lifting the trophy could look like, and it could be a difficult one.
MORE: England vs Senegal result: Henderson, Kane and Saka strike to send Three Lions into last eight.
Quarterfinals: England vs France
Ever since the draw was made, this round has been circled by many England fans as a sink-or-swim moment. If Southgate’s men are to improve upon their semi-final run at the 2018 World Cup and runners-up finish at Euro 2020, it has always been likely they will have to come through a heavyweight nation in the quarterfinals. France are next up.
Holders France booked qualification from Group D with a game to spare and going through in top spot landed them in England’s side of the draw.
Didier Deschamps’ side have been hit by injuries to the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema. This has merely shown off the country’s enviable depth of talent, albeit not that deep after nine changes led to a poor 1-0 loss to Tunisia in their final group game.
Kylian Mbappe looked in ominous form as he followed up a goal in the opening 4-1 win over Australia with a decisive brace as Les Bleus’ Nations League tormentors Denmark were beaten 2-1. And he was on song again against Poland in the Round of 16.
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
Semi-finals: England vs Morocco or Portugal
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo could meet England in the semis, assuming they get past surprise nation Morocco in the quarterfinal.
Morocco booked their place by beating Spain on penalties in the last 16, while Portugal were thoroughly dominant in beating Switzerland 6-1.
England and Portugal have shared a couple of terse battles across Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, with the Selecao prevailing on penalties each time. The only survivor on either side from those games? A certain Ronaldo.
MORE: World Cup injuries 2022 tracker
Final: England vs Brazil or Argentina
Brazil have looked the most complete team in the tournament so far and easily look the strongest of those likely to end up on the other side of the draw to England.
Tite’s men are aiming for their sixth title and a first since 2002, when they beat England in the quarter-finals. To the delight of neutrals everywhere, a semifinal showdown with bitter rivals Argentina could be on the cards.
Lionel Messi and his teammates were stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their opener before the main man inspired a nervy 2-0 win over Mexico. Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez got the goals as Argentina turned in their best performance of the tournament to beat a tepid Poland and top Group C.
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