FIFA WC 2018: Why England Are Emerging as One of the Favourites

England’s loss to Belgium notwithstanding, they look very much in contention for first World Cup win after 1966.

The English team looks set for world domination with captain and striker Harry Kane in red hot form.

(Photo: AP)

England has got off to a flying start in their World Cup campaign. The country’s loss to Belgium notwithstanding, the team looks very much in contention for its first World Cup win after 1966.

England has progressed to the knockout round as the team placed second in Group G, behind Belgium, and is slated to face Colombia in the Round of 16. They’ll have to secure three more wins on the trot to lift the coveted trophy, but the English are all in.

Here’s why England has a better-than-usual chance of actually repeating their most beloved feat: the home triumph that crowned them football world champions.

Good Attack

Twenty-five-year-old midfielder Jesse Lingard scored against Panama and has been a focal point of the English attack.

Their attack looks to be well balanced, with both creative minds Jesse Lingaard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek who can actively move the ball up to Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. Although Sterling has not come into his own yet, Kane has been in top form, coming from a spectacular season where he scored 42 goals in all competitions, he is leading the race for the Golden Boot with a brace and a hat-trick in the first two games.

No Pressure

England’s Raheem Sterling (centre) speaks with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (right) at the end of a friendly football match between England and Nigeria.

Despite being a football powerhouse, England have had to deal with little expectations coming into this World Cup. Notwithstanding disappointing performances in Brazil 2014, Russia – of all places – has given them anopportunity to turn the page.

Also, the FA’s decision that players interact with fans more has created a more positive environment for the team, with England fans showering support despite their low numbers.

Great Start

England’s Harry Kane (top right) celebrates with teammates after scoring past Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo (top left) – his first penalty during the Group G match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Sunday.

The 6-1 win against Panama has been the largest margin of win in this World Cup. With Kane converting his chances superbly, the team looks confident, even if they only defeated minnows in the group stage.

No Toxic Coaches

England head coach Gareth Southgate. 

In the previous world cups, English football has always been mired by one controversy or another, in the lead up to the tournament, most commonly on the coaching front.

With the controlling days of Roy Hodgson and Phil Neville gone, Gareth Southgate has ensured a more liberating space for his team.

Favourable Draw

England escape many of the top teams with their loss against Belgium

There were many who called for England to lose the game against Belgium – and with a line-up of substitutes, they did only manage a dodgy 1-0 loss. But this put England in prime position to avoid the tougher half of the draw, instead facing Colombia in the Round of 16 and trading what was likely Brazil for the winner between Sweden and Switzerland in the quarters.

With the draw as it is, and if the dream runs do continue, David Beckham’s prediction of England in the final is not out of the cards. We sure know which side he’ll be cheering for.