What England need to do to against Panama to qualify for the World Cup knockout stage as group winners

England have qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup as one of the eight best third-place teams in the tournament.

Results elsewhere in the competition overnight has seen the Three Lions book their place in the Round of 32, but tonight’s game against Panama gives them an opportunity to finish as group winners.

Victory over the Central American side tonight will likely see them top the group.

The only way for England to beat Panama but not win the group is if Ghana beat Croatia and overtake Thomas Tuchel’s men on goal difference. England currently have the better goal difference by 1.

A point would also seal top spot, although they would not finish first in the group if there is a winner in the match between Ghana and Croatia.

Should England lose against Panama, they would finish second in the group if Ghana beat Croatia or the match ends in a draw.

If Croatia win, and England lose, they will qualify in second if their goal remains greater than Ghana’s (currently 1).

Victory over Ghana on Tuesday night, which would have seen England win the group with a game to spare, would have given Tuchel the luxury of being able to rest players against Panama.

This could have been particularly beneficial given England’s World Cup campaign got off to a late start, owing to the fact the Three Lions are in Group L.

As such, England’s condensed schedule could see them having to play six games in the space of 23 days should they reach the final on July 19.

What happens if teams finish level on points?

For the first time since 1970, goal difference is no longer used to separate sides who finish level on points in the group stage at the World Cup.

Instead, the head-to-head record between teams is now used as the first tiebreaker – which is why England will finish ahead of Croatia if both teams end up on four points.

Who could England play in the Round of 32?

As group winners, England would enter the bottom half of the draw where they would play one of the third-placed sides from Groups E, I, J or K.

This will almost certainly be against one of Ecuador, Senegal, Austria, Algeria, DR Congo or Uzbekistan, whilst there is an extremely small chance it could be Portugal. The game would take place in Atlanta on July 1 (5pm).

A second place finish in the group would see England play the runner up in Group K, which will almost certainly be either Portugal or Colombia. The game would take place in Toronto on July 2 (12am).

Finishing third in the group would mean England play the winner of Group K in Kansas City on July 4 (2.30am) – either Colombia or Portugal.

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