Plotting England's path to World Cup glory with WhoScored.com Survivor

 

The knockouts are upon us and England have easily secured their spot. 

 

A borefest against the USA was sandwiched between convincing victories over Iran and Wales, but who will they face on their projected path to World Cup glory? 

 

You can back - or go against - the Three Lions as you play for a share of £10,000+ in our Knockout Tournament Survivor game, which kicks off at 2:45pm on Saturday 3rd December. 

 

We’re giving you two lives to predict every knockout result. You can pick each team as often as you want - will you ride the Brazil wave until the end or do you fancy France to defend their title? 

 

Plotting England's path to World Cup glory with WhoScored.com Survivor

 

Here’s the potential route England may have to take to win a second crown… 

 

Round of 16 - Senegal 

 

Despite the absence of talisman Sadio Mane, the Lions of Teranga (is that the best nickname at the World Cup?) edged past Ecuador thanks to Kalidou Koulibaly’s first ever international goal! 

 

Netherlands soundly won the group, but don’t forget Senegal held Louis van Gaal’s men for 80 minutes before errors from Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy handed them victory. 

 

This is England’s first World Cup meeting with the African Cup of Nations champions and they’ve never lost against a team from Africa in the history of this competition having won three and drawn three - lets brush past that dismal draw with Algeria in 2010, shall we? 

 

If Mane was fit, this would be a totally different proposition, but England are looking good and shouldn’t have any problems winning this one… famous last words! 

 

Prediction: England Win 

 

Quarter-Finals - France 

 

Right, this is where things start to get a little scary. 

 

Defending World Cup champions France have looked imperious with their main man bagging goals for fun, Antoine Griezmann running the show and Olivier Giroud continues to deliver on the big stage. 

 

Did we mention they are doing all of this without Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Lucas Hernandez and Christopher Nkunku? 

 

It’s not all bad, England fans… the Three Lions have won both of the World Cup meetings between these two teams, including on their run to the 1966 title - football’s coming home again! 

 

Not so fast… if France are at their best, this could be the end of the road, but we hope not. 

 

Prediction: Sorry, France Win 

 

Semi-Finals - Germany or Portugal 

 

Let's pretend England have made it through a gruelling tie with France and are headed for the semis - who would they play? 

 

In our bracket, Hansi Flick’s Germany, who recovered from an early loss against Japan, or Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and in-form Bruno Fernandes, could await, but Croatia and Switzerland might have something to say about that. 

 

We fancy England more against Germany, who don’t look like the force they once were and Gareth Southgate’s side have only lost one of their last six vs the Germans… who can forget that memorable Euro 2020 victory at Wembley?! 

 

Portugal is a totally different story… heartbreak the theme running through this match-up. They knocked England out of the 2004 Euros and two years later, sent them packing on penalties at the 2006 World Cup. 

 

There’s no better time for some redemption - we’re taking England! 

 

Prediction: England Win 

 

Plotting England's path to World Cup glory with WhoScored.com Survivor

 

Final - Brazil 

 

Do you remember those video games you would play as a kid where you had to defeat the final boss? Well, that’s Brazil! 

 

They cruised through a tough group despite Neymar’s injury and with the PSG forward now fully fit. and it seemingly his destiny to lead Brazil to World Cup glory, it’s hard to see how they aren’t celebrating at the Lusail Stadium on December 18th. 

 

With Richarlison leading the line and Thiago Silva ensuring there’s no danger at the other end alongside Marquinhos while Casemiro controls the tempo in midfield, Tite really has all bases covered. 

 

The South Americans have more titles and match victories than any other nation in World Cup history and our bracket has them beating Uruguay and Spain before knocking out old foes Argentina in the semis. 

 

England hopefully awaits in the final, but there’s no looking past the Samba stars. 

 

Prediction: Brazil Win 

 

Ready to make your picks?

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Plotting England's path to World Cup glory with WhoScored.com Survivor