Five days after beating World Cup favourites Argentina, England will be out to prove they have learned the lessons of past blunders in their final F group game against Nigeria.
A draw on Wednesday will be enough to send Sven-Goran Eriksson's 20-somethings through to a second round clash with either Denmark or Senegal, while Sweden and the Argentines battle for the other survival slot from the Group of Death.
However, England's recent record at major events has been a litany of blown chances and missed opportunities and their performances after major victories have been none too impressive either.
At Euro 2000, England failed to clear the group phase after conceding a late penalty to lose 3-2 to Romania.
They lost on penalties to Argentina at the 1998 World Cup after David Beckham was sent off early in the second half, and squandered another lead to Germany at the Euro 96 semifinals before again bowing out on penalties.
Though Friday's victory over Argentina was a major achievement, so too was last September's 5-1 drubbing of Germany in Munich during qualifying.
However, that historic victory was followed by a very scrappy 2-0 win over Albania and a fortuitous 2-2 draw with Greece, sealed with virtually the last kick of the game from Beckham.
"That should be a very good lesson for us," Eriksson told reporters after watching world champions France go out. "If you are not 100 percent focused on what you are doing you will not win a game at this World Cup."
After two consecutive defeats, Nigeria will be simply seeking a face-saving result before making their exit.
Striker Nwankwo Kanu has been ruled out of the game by injury, thereby missing the chance to take on three Arsenal team mates in the England side -- Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and David Seaman.
Probable teams
England: 1-David Seaman; 2-Danny Mills, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 6-Sol Campbell, 3-Ashley Cole; 7-David Beckham (capt), 21-Nicky Butt, 8-Paul Scholes, 4-Trevor Sinclair; 11-Emile Heskey, 10-Michael Owen
Nigeria: 1-Ike Shorunmu; 14-Ifeanyi Udeze, 6-Taribo West, 5-Isaac Okoronkwo, 3-Celestine Babayaro; 2-Joseph Yobo, 10-Jay Jay Okocha, 15-Justice Christopher; 9-Bartholomew Ogbeche, 17-Julius Aghahowa, 21-John Utaka
Match referee: Brian Hall (United States)
Linesmen :
Hector Vergara (Canada)
Evzen Amler (Czech Republic)
