Panama’s Defensive Strategy Poses Challenge
That low block, then. It’s proving quite the puzzle. But don’t worry! Some of the top managerial minds in the world – Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes, to be precise – are on it.
England’s opposition tonight. Bone up on the team that started this tournament as the 33rd best in the world with our team and player guides. Start with their star man Michael Amir Murillo and click on through …
Rashford, Saka, Rogers and Quansah Expected to Start
… and there’s some early team news from our man on the spot. Over to you, Jacob Steinberg …
Hello from New Jersey. Word is filtering through that Marcus Rashford is to replace Anthony Gordon on the left when England face Panama later. Jarell Quansah is also expected to make his World Cup debut, replacing the injured Reece James at right-back. Bukayo Saka is in line to replace Noni Madueke and in an attacking move it seems Morgan Rogers will come in for the rested Declan Rice and link with Jude Bellingham as Tuchel tries to find a way to break down Panama’s low block.
England recorded their biggest-ever win against Panama at the 2018 tournament. A 6-2 rout sent Gareth Southgate’s side on their journey to a fourth-place finish; Harry Kane’s hat-trick went a long way to securing his Golden Boot. And so here we are again … except last time, Panama were ranked 55th in the world, but now they’re ranked 42nd, and that after falling eight places in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to Croatia.
Panama also gave Ghana a good game in their Group L opener, so while most observers expect England to do the business tonight, the current iteration of the Red Tide – runners-up to Mexico at both the previous Concacaf Gold Cup and Nations League – are no pushover.
England will hope to bounce back from their struggles against Queirozball earlier in the week; should they do so, they’ll deserve the plaudits that will come their way, and hope it’ll be a good omen for another deep run. Kick-off is at 10pm BST, 5pm EDT, 7am AEST. It’s on!
