Sunday, November 4 (19:00 GMT)
After topping group B with two wins and a draw, England will face group A’s second place holders, Senegal in Round of 16, as England hope to reach their second consecutive Quarter Final.
Senegal finished second in group A behind Netherlands, having won two and lost one game.
The African team have qualified for only three World Cups, with their best result being a Quarter Final exit in 2018, a feat they hope to improve upon this year.
This match will be England and Senegal’s first meeting but there will be multiple familiar faces in the Senegal squad – despite the absence of their star player Sadio Mane to injury – with the likes of Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr making an appearance.
England head onto the pitch with a clean sheet, having ended the group stage unbeaten and with a seven points goal difference, whereas Senegal had a 2-0 opening game defeat to Netherlands.
But no way will this be an easy game for the Three Lions, as it has been just 10 months since Senegal were crowned Champions of Africa and England’s men have yet to win a continental title with their closest being a runner’s up place to Italy at the Euros 2020. Although history may favour England more as they have never lost to an African side.
My prediction for this game is 3-1 victory for the Three Lions!