What England learned from Ghana's World Cup win over Panama
18.06.26, 14:15 Updated 18.06.26, 14:33
Gary Jordan
England will head into next Tuesday's encounter with Ghana, with not just the confidence from a near-perfect second-half display against Croatia, but also the knowledge of how their African opponents look after their opening match just hours after the 4-2 win in Dallas.
Ghana and Panama played out an unspectacular match in Toronto, which was decided deep into stoppage time as Caleb Yirenkyi scored from close range to end the stubborn resistance of the Panama defence and deny the CONCACAF nation their first-ever World Cup point in their fourth finals match.
This result sets up what could well be the Group L winner, as a win for either team should be enough to see them over the line, given the further confidence a second win will bring. England will, of course, start as favourites next week in Boston, the Foxborough Stadium proving to be one of the most atmospheric so far. Still, they will be very wary of what Ghana will bring to the table, and even more so after their late winner in the first game, which can so often trip favoured teams up.
Become a member today.
The Sixty Six needs its community to support independent, high-quality coverage of England Football. Subscribe to a monthly or annual package today to be a part of something special.
Already have an account? Sign in
Related Topics
Gary Jordan Author of Out of the Shadows: The Story of the 1982 World Cup Team. A long-time observer of England, he brings historical perspective and an enduring optimism shaped by decades following the national side.