21D AI has England out in the third-place play-off.
Predicted exit: Semi-final, took third place.
Group LCroatia, Ghana, Panama Win group
Swept Croatia aside on opening night, ground out a stalemate with a stubborn Ghana, then saw off Panama to top the group. Job done, if with less swagger than night one promised.
Round of 32DR Congo Win
DR Congo gatecrashed the best thirds and gave it a real go, but England had to graft and the bench had the answers even shorn of James and Quansah. Through to the last 16.
Round of 16Mexico Win
The hosts brought the roof down after seeing off Ecuador, but England's depth quieted the noise and saw them through to the last eight. Exactly as called.
Quarter-finalNorway Win
Norway arrived on a high after dumping Brazil out, but England's know-how and strength in depth told once it went to extra time. Into the semis, exactly as our 63% call had it.
Semi-finalArgentina Lose
The holders proved a bridge too far. England had their moments and made it a real contest, but Argentina's big-game nous told when it mattered and the wait for a final since 1966 goes on.
Third-place play-offFrance Win
Down but not out, England picked themselves off the semi-final canvas and saw off a deflated France to take the bronze. Not the medal they came for, but a medal all the same.
A fine run that ended one game short of the final, and no, it was never rigged. England topped a completed Group L, grafted past DR Congo, saw off hosts Mexico and outlasted Norway to reach the semis exactly as our 63% call had it. There they ran the holders Argentina close but came up just short, then dusted themselves down to beat France for the bronze. Reece James and Quansah being out was a nuisance the depth mostly soaked up, but the last four is where the title dream stopped. Proud campaign, third place secured, honest forecast, and the wait for a final drags on.
Just a bit of fun, not betting advice. Predictions generated by AI from public data. 18+.
Fixtures and results from openfootball. Rankings, form and injuries from API-Football.