Writeforustechno

Who has the best path to the World Cup final?

And so, the group stage is complete: 72 games played, 215 goals scored, and only 12 teams eliminated, which does feel like an awful lot of football to only cull a third of the participants. But the bracket is pleasingly complete, and we can now plot paths through to the final for whatever team diverts us.

What to know about Sunday’s game?

Look, we don’t want to alarm you, but after a little over two weeks of at least three or four games every day, regrettably, we have some bad news: on Sunday, there is only one game. One! We should riot. This is a desert in the middle of an oasis, someone smashing our plate on the floor as we approach the all-you-can-eat buffet.

What’s the biggest issue to solve?

Crafton: England’s problems in open play are as old as time, struggling to break down teams who set up to frustrate. Set pieces are one way to do that, as we saw against Panama, but early intensity gives way to anxiety, and it becomes a tough watch. The relationship between the full-backs and wingers isn’t quite right so far, partly because they just keep changing personnel.

Who has been most impressive?

Crafton: If there were doubts about Jude Bellingham before the tournament, they have surely been dispelled.

Who should be the wide forwards?

Crafton: Rashford appears to be the more in-form and daring of the left-sided options compared with Anthony Gordon, so I suspect he has that wrapped up for the next game. On the right, it really feels uncertain and open.