England need to win Group L. There’s no ‘easy’ path through the knockout rounds at
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Under former Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen, World Cup 2026 has been a useful barometer and an encouraging experience for Panama.
Los Canaleros may be yet to score a goal or win a point but they’ve twice fallen only 1-0, and could claim quite justifiably that they might have taken more from their defeat by Ghana, whose winner came in the 95th minute. By this time in 2018, they’d already lost 3-0 and 6-1.
One prize they don’t have this time around that they did eight years ago is to get off the bottom of the group. Christiansen must inspire his charges that pride of performance and revenge for 2018 are essential.
England’s motivations should be beyond doubt. They’ll want to put things right after failing to break Ghana down – and nearly conceding a penalty after Ezri Konsa’s clumsy challenge – and topping a group that was wholly in their control after the first game should also be a matter of pride.
Tuchel and England fans will expect to see patience, sure, but they’ll demand intent to go with it.
With Bukayo Saka nearing fitness, the Three Lions have the firepower and creative wherewithal to get the job done in New Jersey and there are no excuses for not doing that in the circumstances. Harry Kane will also want to make up for a late miss against Ghana.
Reaching the round of 32 on the back of successive draws would not bode well. But a defeat? Imagine…
Panama vs England: Group L
FourFourTwo’s prediction
Panama 0-3 England
FourFourTwo predicts a quick start for England and a determined charge for top spot.
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