We simulated Wales vs England to predict the Three Lions’ World Cup fate

England can secure their spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday evening when they host Wales in their final group stage game.

A disappointing 0-0 draw with USA in England's last outing put Gareth Southgate's side on four points from their first two games in Group B. But, it would take a catastrophic performance for England to not make it to the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday, with Wales needing to beat England by four or more goals for the Three Lions not to advance.

After their 2-0 loss to Iran in their second group game, Wales must beat England by four goals to reach the knockout stages of the competition. They can also win by a smaller margin, but this would take Wales' fate out of their hands as the Dragons must rely on Iran and USA drawing in the other game.

So, how could England book their spot in the Knockout Stages of the World Cup on Tuesday? We simulated the game on FIFA 23 to find out.

We simulated Wales vs England to get a score prediction

To run this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions. We didn't select a team to control, with the World Class AI playing against each other to get a score prediction.

We predict that England could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Pickford: Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice, Mount; Saka, Kane, Foden.

We predict that Wales could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Davies, Williams; Ampadu, Ramsey, Allen; Bale, Moore, James.

England began the game as the better team in Qatar, with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden starring on either wing in the opening stages. Just six minutes in, the Three Lions took a deserved lead through captain Harry Kane.

A quick give-and-go between Jude Bellingham and Saka sent the Arsenal winger forward down the right, and a smart run from Kieran Trippier was the perfect decoy to draw away Saka's marker as he broke into the box. Kane moved towards the front post to meet Saka's cross, and the striker fired a wonderful effort into the top corner to put England ahead.

Wales thought they levelled the score 11 minutes later when Gareth Bale's header looped over Jordan Pickford from close range, but the forward was judged offside, and the goal didn't stand. It was Wales' first major chance of the game, but England regained control shortly and doubled their lead.

Saka and Trippier had caused all sorts of problems down the right, and the latter set up the second goal with a fantastic low cross towards Saka at the front post. The winger met the cross with a smart touch away from his marker, and as Danny Ward rushed off his line he fired across goal to make it 2-0.

England looked the dominant side in the first half, but just before the break, Wales pulled a goal back, with Aaron Ramsey firing past Pickford at his near post to halve the deficit. A flurry of efforts fell Wales' way early in the second half as they pushed forward for an equaliser, but the Dragons left themselves short at the back as England made it 3-1 in the 78th minute.

After Joe Allen was dispossessed in the middle, England surged forward in numbers with Mason Mount leading the attack. As he approached the box, Mount slid a pass through to Kane, and on his left foot the striker rifled his shot into the top corner to secure the three points.

FIFA 23 predicted score: Wales 1-3 England

Here are the full-time match stats.

FIFA 23 predicts that a 3-1 win could send England through to the World Cup Round of 16 as group winners, a result that would draw them against the Group A runners-up in the next round. As for Wales, a defeat would leave them bottom of Group B and would top off a poor World Cup campaign.

FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and is now available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One.

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