World Cup round of 16 power rankings: Can anyone stop Brazil?

By James Dudko | Jun 29, 2018

TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward Neymar waves at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Serbia and Brazil at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 27, 2018. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images) /

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TOPSHOT – England’s forward Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between England and Panama at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod on June 24, 2018. (Photo by Martin BERNETTI / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) /

9. England

For a rare time in recent memory there has been a freedom and vibrancy about the way England have played at a World Cup. It’s helped coach Gareth Southgate hasn’t been afraid to maximize what he has.

Specifically, Southgate has built a team geared to using its pace. It’s a quality the Three Lions have in abundance thanks to Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard, as well as wing-backs Ashley Young and Kieran Trippier.

Southgate has wisely positioned his players in a 3-5-2 shape to encourage width and fluid movement. Those qualities offer the ideal complement to the ruthless finishing of predatory center-forward Harry Kane.

Tottenham’s marquee man has found goals easy to come by, while giving England the efficiency needed to navigate the knockout rounds of a tournament. Kane will fancy his chances against Colombia.

Southgate’s defence still looks as though it has a mistake in it. Yet the willingness to trust Harry Maguire and John Stones underlines how much the Three Lions have been refreshed internationally.

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