Two countries that started the World Cup placed in the same Group G but took remarkably dissimilar paths through the knockout stages to get to the third place game. England finished second in the group after playing a reserve squad and losing to Belgium in the group finale. They then beat Colombia on penalty kicks in a contentious match. They proceeded to beat Sweden 2-0 in what was one of the easier wins in World Cup quarterfinals memory and then must feel as if they let a chance to make the final slip away.