Analysis: England do not want Colombia in the World Cup round of 16
A 6-1 obliteration of Panama on Sunday afternoon secured England’s place in the World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 2010.
That means the wishful fans will be planning the Three Lions’ route to the final, and recent matches in Group H have indicated exactly what Gareth Southgate and England want to avoid in their first hurdle.
Japan managed to hold Senegal to a 2-2 draw immediately after England’s game in Nizhny Novogorod. That result denied the Africans comfort atop Group H.
More English heads were turned, though, when Colombia turned on the style to produce one of the best performances of any team at this World Cup.
A mesmerising display, spearheaded by 2014 hero James Rodriguez, dumped Poland out of the competition and sent a clear warning to any of their potential opponents, should the South Americans advance.
Colombia need a positive scoreline against Senegal in their final match to assure themselves of a spot in the round of 16.
And, from there, England are a very realistic prospect.
Judging by the way they played versus Poland, England would almost certainly face their first genuine challenge of the tournament if Colombia emerged as their first knockout opposition.
The clash against Belgium will allow the Three Lions to gauge how they can perform against a quality side. However with both nations already through, the pressure is off.
Colombia are more than just a potential banana skin
Locking horns with an impressive Colombia might make or break England’s budding World Cup campaign.
And with ostensibly inferior teams in Group H – Japan and Senegal both showing defensive frailties – England would perhaps prefer to avoid the vibrant Colombians.
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A red card as early as the 3rd minute scuppered their chances of getting off to a winning start versus Japan.
That loss was less than indicative of what Jose Pekerman’s side can deliver.
They demonstrated their talent, incisiveness and craft on the night it mattered. Defeat in Kazan would have spelled the end of their World Cup dream.
It is that motivation and attacking spark which should unsettle England. Colombia didn’t shy away from the big occasion, which is something the Three Lions have unfortunately been guilty of far too often.
Superb players like James Rodriguez and a rejuvenated Radamel Falcao also give Pekerman’s men a fear factor we have yet to see from a number of other nations.
England’s imposing start to the competition, and their buoyancy behind the scenes, suggests they should have nothing to be afraid of.
However Colombia are looming, and it is debatable whether Southgate’s side are mature enough for a challenge of that magnitude.
Next: Three things we learned from England's crushing of Panama
I’m sure the English fans that witnessed the Colombians’ demolition of Poland are hoping they aren’t the side the Three Lions begin their knockout venture against.