Need to know
The World Cup has reached the knockout stage with 32 teams still in the hunt to land the trophy
Jude Bellingham was on target as England beat Panama to secure top spot in their World Cup group
The World Cup knockout fixtures are now set in stone after the group stage concluded in the early hours of Sunday morning. Of the 48 teams who began the tournament in North America, 32 remain standing and will now face off over the next few days to determine the last 16.
England will be among them. The Three Lions wrapped up top spot in their World Cup group with a win over Panama on Saturday night. Thomas Tuchel’s men now take on DR Congo on Wednesday at 5pm in the first knockout round.
Scotland’s tournament is over though, a 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening game was followed by defeats to Morocco and Brazil and their three point tally but minus three goal difference was not enough to see them through to the next round.
Three teams came through qualifying with a 100 per cent record. France justified their pre-tournament favourite status as they came through a testing looking group with nine points from nine and Didier Deschamps side will now play Sweden. Argentina also recorded maximum points and they will play surprise package Cape Verde.
Mexico were the third side with a perfect group phase and they now play Ecuador. All three co-hosts secured their passages into the knockout stages with the USA topping their group to set up fixtures against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Canada finished second behind Switzerland and will kick off the last-32 against South Africa later today.
Of the other favourites, Brazil picked up two wins and a draw to top their group and earn a date with Japan while Spain face Austria.
The Netherlands were impressive in winning their group while Germany wrapped up top spot with a game to spare. Portugal were less than convincing to finish second to Colombia with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side now facing Croatia.
Plenty tipped Erling Haaland’s Norway as dark horses and they now face the Ivory Coast, who are one of a number of sides to have made history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
Full fixtures and UK kick off times: Tonight, 8pm: Canada vs South Africa; Monday, 6pm Brazil vs Japan, Monday, 9.30pm, Germany vs Paraguay. Tuesday, 2am, Netherlands vs Morocco, Tuesday, 6pm, Ivory Coast vs Norway; Tuesday, 10pm, France vs Sweden. Wednesday, 2am, Mexico vs Ecuador, Wednesday, 5pm, England vs DR Congo, Wednesday 9pm, Belgium vs Senegal. Thursday, 1am, USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina, Thursday, 8pm, Spain vs Austria. Friday, 12midnight, Portugal vs Croatia, Friday, 4am, Switzerland vs Algeria, Friday, 7pm, Australia vs Egypt, Friday, 11pm, Argentina vs Cape Verde.
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