What is England's route to the World Cup final?
By Euan Burns
England have made an excellent start to their 2022 World Cup campaign but now face a real acid test against the reigning champions.
Awaiting the Three Lions in the quarter finals are France, who won in Russia four years ago and boast the electric speedster Kylian Mbappe in attack.
Here's how England reached the knockout stages and who they could face further down the line.
England route to 2022 World Cup final
England qualified for the knockout stages as the dominant side in Group B. They thrashed Iran in their opening game before being held to a goalless draw by the USA. Wales proved to be no match for Gareth Southgate's side, who smashed their local rivals 3-0 thanks to a brace from Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden's strike.
Finishing first in the group meant England faced Senegal in the last 16. After a stodgy opening half hour, Jordan Henderson swept in the opener before Harry Kane made it 2-0.
Bukayo Saka's third goal of the tournament shortly before the hour made sure that a clash would France would await them in the quarter finals.
Les Bleus recorded victories over Australia and Denmark in Group D that meant they finished first regardless of a loss to Tunisia for which manager Didier Deschamps made wholesale changes to his starting XI.
France would face Poland in the last 16 in what proved to be a one-sided affair. Olivier Giroud became his nation's leading men's international goalscorer before Mbappe scored two beauties in the second half. A consolation penalty from Robert Lewandowski late on made it 3-1.
England’s record in major tournament finals
Despite always being discussed as a team that can potentially get to the final of every major tournament, England have only actually competed in two major tournament finals, with a 50% success rate.
The most famous of course is the 1966 World Cup final triumph on home soil against West Germany. The game was infamous for Sir Geoff Hurst's extra-time goal which did not cross the line but was still given. He followed it up with another goal at the end to make it 4-2 and clinch England's only ever World Cup triumph.
The other major final was much more recent as it came at Euro 2020 at Wembley. After a wonderful run to the final, England came up against an Italy side who had surprised many. Despite taking an early lead, England couldn't hold on and were later beaten on penalties by the Azzurri.
Coming into the 2022 World Cup, England are likely viewed in that second bracket of potential winners, behind the likes of France, Argentina and Brazil.
There are some problem areas in the squad and some out-of-form players who will still be starting the group games, but there is no question that there is enough talent in the squad for England to get to the latter stages and perhaps surprise some people.