England and Belgium could face quandary

Germany’s surprise loss to Mexico could create a strange situation in Group G where England and Belgium may face a theoretically easier path to the last four if they finish second rather than top of the standings.

The winners of Group G – which also features Tunisia and Panama – will play a last16 match against the Group H runners-up, Colombia, Japan, Senegal or Poland.

If that game is won, the most likely quarterfinal opponents would be five-time world champions Brazil.

The path for the runnersup was expected to lead to an equally difficult quarterfinal against defending champions Germany, after a round-of-16 game against the winners of Group H. But as Germany are without a point after their opening match, there is a chance the opponents waiting in the last eight could be potential Group F winners Mexico or possible Group E runners-up Serbia – tough but certainly preferable to Brazil.

England and Belgium meet in their final group game on June 28 in Kaliningrad and both could have booked their places in the next round by then – leaving the fixture to decide who finishes first and second.

There are plenty more twists and turns possible, of course, and Germany are more than capable of recovering from their early setback and topping the group.

That would avoid a situation where England and Belgium face each other knowing defeat could be the best outcome.