England’s World Cup campaign began in Texas with an eye-catching 4-2 win over Croatia.
The second-half performance in Dallas got fans excited, but things were less exhilarating in Boston as Thomas Tuchel’s team were held to a goalless draw by Ghana.
Then it was over to the New York New Jersey Stadium, where England laboured to a 2-0 victory over Panama to finish top of Group L.
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Where do England play in the last 32?
Having been on the East Coast for their final two group matches, it’s back down south for the first knockout round.
England will play DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium in the state of Georgia on Wednesday.
The weather is forecast to be a sweltering 34 degrees Celsius in Atlanta, but the stadium, mercifully, has a roof and air conditioning.
That should help England as they look to advance to the last 16 and set up a potential clash with co-hosts Mexico or Ecuador at Estadio Azteca.
Atlanta Stadium has so far hosted four matches at the World Cup: Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti, Spain’s goalless draw with Cape Verde, Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and DR Congo’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
DR Congo have already played at the 75,000-capacity arena, so they will be more familiar with their surroundings than England.
Whether or not that will be a major factor remains to be seen, but England are the favourites to progress.
The theme of their last two matches, against Ghana and Panama, is expected to continue, with DR Congo likely to sit deep and attempt to counter attack.
The Three Lions will hope Atlanta Stadium does not play host to another 0-0 draw akin to Cape Verde’s memorable meeting with Spain.
