England are in a strong position in Group L after a 4-2 win over Croatia in what looked to be their most challenging fixture.
The Three Lions face Ghana next in Boston on Tuesday, before ending the group stage against Panama in New York on Saturday.
But will victory over Ghana be enough to guarantee England’s place in the last 32?
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Will England be through to the knockouts with win against Ghana?
Beating Ghana would put England on six points from two games ahead of their final match against Panama.
It would leave Thomas Tuchel’s team three points clear of Ghana, who scored late on to beat Panama 1-0 in their opener.
Croatia will be expected to beat Panama after England’s match finishes, and, assuming they do, they will go three points behind the group leaders.
But victory will not only mean England secure their place in the last 32 – it will also confirm them as Group L winners.
That is because of FIFA’s change from goal difference to head-to-head as the primary tie-breaker when teams finish level on points in the group stage.
At previous World Cups, England could still have been overtaken by one of Croatia or Ghana – not both, because they meet each other in the final fixture – on goal difference with six points from three games.
As it is now, a win in their second game will make it impossible for Croatia or Ghana to catch England.
That should provide all the motivation they need to get the job done in Boston and set up a potentially more favourable route to the latter stages of the World Cup.
If England finish first first in their group, they will play one of the third-placed teams from Groups E, H, I, J or K.
As things stand, that could potentially mean a last 32 clash with Cape Verde, Uruguay, Senegal, Algeria or DR Congo, amongst various other possible opponents.
