That was amusing.
Once upon a time, England would begin important tournaments with a whimper. Consider the lackluster draw with Sweden in 2002, the lackluster victory over Paraguay in 2006, and Rob Green’s gaffe against the United States. Then, there would be a gradual escalation in performance, progressively evoking anticipation before the eventual demise in the knockout round.
However, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take a somewhat different approach.
Their 6-2 thrashing of Iran represented their third consecutive opening-game victory at a major tournament. They are on the edge of qualifying for the round of 16 with forthcoming matches against the United States and Wales.
How Southgate’s England can qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals in 2022 during the next week.
England during the World Cup to date
Prior to the initial match versus Iran, expectations were dampened. Teams coached by Carlos Queiroz are often uninspired and obstinate in attack. Their strategy was anticipated, yet it was performed well in the initial phases.
However, England performed with the swagger that supporters have longed for for so long. Their young lions cheered when Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka scored the game’s first two goals, followed by Harry Kane’s deft pass to Raheem Sterling, who scored England’s third goal before the break.
After the interval, the Three Lions proceeded to impose their dominance against Iran. Saka added a fourth goal before Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish scored either side of a pair of goals by Mehdi Taremi to reduce the deficit.
In a 6-2 victory, England displayed a brilliant offensive performance, avoiding the dreary matchup that many had anticipated beforehand. There’s little question that Skinner & Baddiel would have been included to a few more Spotify playlists if they’d had a better start to their World Cup campaign.
England’s remaining World Cup group fixtures
The next time England competes is on November 25 against the United States. In their first Group B match against Wales, the United States were beaten to a 1-1 tie, but they showed enough in the first half to indicate that they may give England’s defence some trouble on Matchday 2.
The Three Lions conclude the group stage against Wales on Tuesday, November 29. The last time England and Wales played in a big tournament, in 2016, England prevailed, but the Red Dragon’s power ensures this will be no cakewalk for Southgate’s squad.
By the time Matchday 3 arrives, they will aim to have secured qualification.
How can England go to the World Cup quarterfinals?
The United States’ 1-1 draw with Wales on Matchday 1 boosted England’s chances of advancing to the round of 16. The Three Lions are in a strong position at the top of Group B, and their far better goal difference suggests that they may just need a point from their next two games to qualify.
England, on the other hand, will be anticipated to win their last two group games and finish first. They will also finish first if they complete the group with seven points, which means they win one and draw one of their remaining two games.
If they win against the USA on Matchday 2, they will advance, and if Wales loses against Iran, they will be all but certain of first place.
Even if England finishes with five points, they will likely top the group on goal difference if both Wales and the United States defeat Iran. If Iran wins their next two games and England draws both, Queiroz’s team will finish first in Group B, with England finishing second.
Given their performance against Iran and their forthcoming opponents, it would be a great surprise if England did not win the group. Only a tragedy would force them out of the World Cup before the knockout stages, with even a second-place result seeming implausible.
