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England last 16 World Cup opponents: Who Three Lions could face in knockout stages

With the second round of group stage games well and truly up and running, England’s performance against Tunisia is looking ever more impressive as the big sides continue to falter.

Having had a day off to explore St. Petersburg this week, the Three Lions are now fully focussed on their clash with Panama on Sunday afternoon.

The final Group G standings are likely to come down to a shout out between Gareth Southgate’s side and Belgium, whom they face in the final group game next Thursday.

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Dependent on how things finish, England will face one of Colombia, Japan, Poland or Senegal in the round of 16.

Colombia

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Question marks remain about Colombia’s ability to perform well in tournaments outside their own continent. James Rodriguez was unable to start against Japan because of a calf injury and, even though the creative Juan Quintero scored a clever free-kick, Colombia need him back if they are to get back on track against Poland on Sunday. Carlos Sanchez’s early sending-off could damage the team. He plays the holding midfield role and is crucial to the balance of the team but he is now suspended. Colombia have outstanding individuals — James, Juan Cuadrado, Radamel Falcao, Quintero — but seem to lack the unity of 2014.

Japan

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

To the surprise of nearly everyone, they showed themselves a force to be reckoned with by beating Colombia 2-1. They were helped considerably by Sanchez’s early red card, yet they were incisive on the break and defended stoutly, particularly in the air. Even though his best years are probably behind him, former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa (left) is a playmaker of high class and can open the best defences. England would be confident of beating them but in just the opening 10 minutes against Colombia, Japan showed they are a team who must not be taken lightly under any circumstances.

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Poland

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

On the evidence of the defeat by Senegal, Poland can be stopped if Robert Lewandowski is stopped. Senegal doubled-up on the Bayern Munich striker, forcing him away from the penalty area in search of space, and without an outlet Poland resorted to safe, sideways passes across the back four. The lack of urgency was a concern and so too were the dreadful defensive errors for both goals. The return of centre-half Kamil Glik, who was ruled out yesterday through injury, should lead to an improvement but Poland also need to play with more width and aggression if they are to reach the knockout stages.

Senegal

(EPA)
(EPA)

They will cause opponents problems on the counter-attack, given the blistering pace of Liverpool’s Sadio Mane (left) and his supporting cast, but they are also a perfectly-balanced side in possession. The midfield pair of Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Badou Ndiaye — who was picked at the expense of West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate, the captain — were excellent against Poland. At the back, Kalidou Koulibaly enhanced his reputation with a dominant performance against Lewandowski but Senegal’s finishing was wayward, perhaps unsurprising given the struggles of Stoke’s Mame Biram Diouf last season.