England will never have an easier path to the World Cup final than this one

If the World Cup is truly coming home, as English fans have proclaimed throughout the tournament (in fairness, often ironically), it won't be a bumpy journey.

Russia's stunning upset of Spain on Sunday blew open the right side of the World Cup bracket, and the path ahead of England has never looked less treacherous.

The left side of the bracket presents a battle royale among heavyweights France, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, Belgium, and lone minnow Japan. These half-dozen nations have combined to win eight World Cup titles and 36 continental titles.

England is on the right side of the bracket with Russia, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and Colombia. Only England has a World Cup title, while the other countries have combined for a mere three continental titles and one World Cup finals appearance.

It's never going to be easier than this.

And it wouldn't have been this way had England not dropped its group stage finale to a Belgium squad resting nearly all its starters - a loss that may go down as one of the most famous victories in Three Lions history.

Of course, Croatia, Colombia, host Russia, and the others on the right side will have something to say. The easier path isn't necessarily easy.

But if it's ever going to happen for England, this certainly looks like the year.