So, at least we now at least know England’s path, but we still have no idea how good England actually are. That is something Colombia may definitely tell us, as the second-round opponents Gareth Southgate’s side will now place after finishing second in the group.
It will be a proper test, after a group that didn’t provide any of them. And ended in a 1-0 defeat to Belgium that was barely a proper game of football.
That could end up meaning there are soon proper questions for Southgate for the first time. If a very dangerous Colombia team do end up eliminating England in Moscow on Tuesday. One would be wondering why he didn’t fully press for a win and name a full side for this match.
They may have an easier path to the semi-final, since they will now avoid any heavyweights until then, but they do not have an easier last-16 game as Belgium’s prize is a game against Japan.
With a more favourable knockout route awaiting the runners-up of Group G – a last-16; tie against Colombia followed by a quarter-final against either Sweden or Switzerland. As opposed to a game against Japan and then the victors of Mexico or Brazil; neither side looked like they particularly wanted to make their mark in a drab first half.