England into last 16 - what is their path to the final?

England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after overcoming a scare to beat DR Congo in their first knockout fixture.

The Three Lions were rescued by their captain Harry Kane, who scored twice in the last 15 minutes to secure a 2-1 win after Thomas Tuchel's side had gone a goal down.

It means England are one step closer to reaching their third major tournament final of the decade.

Who will England play in the last 16?

Monday, 6 July - 02:00 BST (live on BBC One and iPlayer, radio and online)

England face a tough test in the last 16 as they have the daunting task of going to Mexico to play the tournament co-hosts at the Azteca Stadium.

Mexico's competitive record at the iconic venue is 70 wins from 89 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats. They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup games there.

They have been in excellent form at this World Cup, too, with the tournament co-hosts having won all four games, scored eight goals and conceded none.

Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024 - a run of 13 unbeaten matches.

They produced a high-energy and intense first half against Ecuador in their last-32 match, establishing a two-goal lead after just half an hour against a side that had not conceded more than one goal in any match in more than two years.

The Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with that kind of altitude potentially causing shortness of breath, increased heart rate and fatigue for players who are not used to it.

Norway in a potential quarter-final

Saturday, 11 July - 22:00 BST

If England beat Mexico, the Three Lions would face Norway in the last eight after their impressive 2-1 victory over Brazil in the last 16.

Norway finished second behind France in Group I and reaching the quarter-finals represents their best World Cup campaign.

With Manchester City's Erling Haaland up front, they would pose a significant threat.

He is level with France's Kylian Mbappe and Argentina's Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot standings with seven goals - and that is after being rested entirely in Norway's final group game with qualification secured.

The 25-year-old now has 62 goals in 54 international games.

If England reach this stage, they will be playing in Miami.

And the semi-final?

Wednesday, 15 July - 20:00 BST

We're getting a fair bit ahead now, but if England were to make it this far, they could face the defending champions.

Perhaps the favourites to reach this stage would be Argentina, who won all three of their group games as Lionel Messi continued to deliver on the biggest stage of all in the month he turned 39, scoring five goals so far.

They survived a huge scare in being taken to extra time by surprise package Cape Verde in the last 32, and will face Egypt in the next round.

Also in this section of the draw are Colombia, who would face Argentina in the quarter-final if both nations win their next games. They topped their group, ahead of Portugal, having won two of their three matches.

They face Switzerland in the last 16. The Swiss have grown into the tournament and won their first knockout game in 88 years in the round of 32.

Reaching the semi-final would mean a return for England to Atlanta, where they beat DR Congo in their last-32 match.

Let us dream... what about the final?

Sunday, 19 July - 20:00 BST

All 16 teams in the other half of the draw are potential World Cup final opponents for England.

The strongest sides who England could not possibly face before the final include 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up France, 2010 victors Spain and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.

France and Morocco will meet in the quarter-finals if they overcome Paraguay and Canada respectively.

Spain play Portugal in the last 16, with the winner playing USA or Belgium in the last eight.

The final will be held in New Jersey in front of 82,500 fans.

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