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  1. Panama aiming to avoid joining unwanted historypublished at 13:48 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Mohamed Moallim
    BBC Sport

    Panama may already be eliminated from the World Cup, but they still have something to play for.

    Should they fail to score against England, they will become the seventh nation in World Cup history (and the first in 20 years) to complete an entire tournament without finding the net.

    Bolivia were the first in 1930, losing 4-0 to both Yugoslavia and Brazil. The Dutch East Indies followed in 1938, exiting after a 6-0 defeat to Hungary in the tournament’s straight knockout format. Zaire (now DR Congo) endured a miserable 1974 campaign, losing 2-0 to Scotland, 9-0 to Yugoslavia and 3-0 to Brazil. Canada then failed to find the net in 1986, suffering defeats to France (1-0), Hungary (2-0) and the Soviet Union (2-0). China joined the unwanted list in 2002 after losses to Costa Rica (2-0), Brazil (4-0) and Türkiye (3-0), before Trinidad and Tobago became the most recent nation to do so in 2006, drawing 0-0 with Sweden before losing 2-0 to both England and Paraguay.

  2. Play the Predictorpublished at 13:43 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    You can also predict the outcomes of all this round's selected fixtures via our World Cup Predictor.

    Six games, how many will you get correct?

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - Score predictionspublished at 13:40 BST

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of the page

    Chris Sutton has had his say but do you agree?

    Let us know your score prediction by clicking 'Get Involved' at the top of this page.

  4. 'I see England winning this more comfortably'published at 13:37 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Chris Sutton
    Former England forward

    Panama v EnglandImage source, BBC Sport

    Thomas Tuchel's England half-time team talk obviously didn't work against Ghana. He got a lot of praise for what he said in the dressing room at the interval against Croatia as they claimed an impressive win, but this time it didn't work.

    I am expecting Tuchel to make a few changes, but not a lot - they need to win this game. Harry Kane will start but maybe Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford will come in on the wings.

    I'd like to see Tuchel start Saka, instead of Noni Madueke and Nico O'Reilly has to start at left-back rather than Djed Spence - he is a better all-round footballer.

    Panama have only lost 1-0 in both their games so far, but I can see England winning this more comfortably. Kane will come good after missing that big late chance against Ghana, and he will be back in the goals.

    Sutton's prediction: 0-3

    AI's prediction: 0-3

  5. Will England be able to play their own way? Will Panama learn from Ghana?published at 13:33 BST

    Panama v England (22:00 BST)

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    England are a side that will relish the prospect of playing a team that push up the pitch - if Panama do try to press.

    It was in the 93rd minute that Panama conceded against Ghana as they chased a winner.

    When they lost the ball in the final third, Panama pressed high but Ghana played into their forwards quickly and they capitalised on the space that opened up.

    Media caption,

    Yirenkyi scores late winner for Ghana

    Against Croatia - and in the qualifying games - it was clear Thomas Tuchel's game model was similarly built upon teasing opponents out of a stubborn defensive shape.

    Against Ghana, England suffered because Carlos Queiroz's men offered an alternative blueprint that took away Tuchel's preferred conditions, instead sitting deep without applying forward pressure.

    This kept Ghana compact between attack and defence.

    It will be interesting to see if Panama adopt some of the tactics Ghana used so effectively.

    They will, naturally, want to win, but as Panama are already eliminated and without an incentive, how motivated they will be and how many changes the coach, former Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen, makes to his side will be factors in terms of their performance.

  6. Impressive chance creation but Panama lack a goalscorerpublished at 13:29 BST

    Panama v England (22:00 BST)

    Umir Irfan
    Football tactics correspondent

    Panama are a relatively unknown quantity, but they are an exciting team whose results do not paint a true picture of their performances in the tournament.

    In their 1-0 defeats to Ghana and Croatia, there were periods of each game when the Central American side looked the better team.

    But with arguably their best player Adalberto Carrasquilla injured, they have struggled to turn their impressive play into goals.

    When Panama find themselves on the ball, they showcase strong technical quality to play out of the opposition's immediate pressure. Midfielder Cristian Martinez stands out in this regard.

    One of England's biggest strengths this World Cup, however, has come from their counter-pressing - with even their biggest stars buying into working hard, crowding around the ball and winning it back immediately after losing it.

    But if Panama can find short and quick combinations before they speed up play - either down the same wing or to the far-side winger with a switch - they could be dangerous.

    Their fast attacks generally conclude in crosses rather than central through-balls.

    Screen grab from Croatia 1-0 Panama showing Croatia’s pressure, illustrated by yellow lines linking the Croatian players to the Panama players they are covering. A dotted arrow is drawn to show the pass that is played forward.
    Image caption,

    Panama on the ball look good. They are willing to absorb pressure, playing neat small-space combinations, before looking to get it forward in a deliberate manner

    Screen grab from Croatia 1-0 Panama. A solid arrow is drawn to show the movement of fullback from deep to high up the pitch. A dotted arrow is drawn to show the path of the through ball from midfield into the fullback.
    Image caption,

    Once Panama escape the initial pressure, they attack quickly and down the wings, before playing crosses into the box. Finishing those crosses is a tougher task for them than creating the chance in the first place

  7. Panama prove a tough nut to crackpublished at 13:24 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England may have enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 victory over Panama the last time they met in the World Cup group stages in 2018, but the Central American side's latest squad looks to be made of sterner stuff.

    Yes, they have been eliminated from the World Cup after opening their Group L campaign with two defeats - but both Ghana and Croatia struggled to break down the world's 42nd-ranked side and only ran out 1-0 winners.

    The Three Lions may well present a different level of attacking challenge for Panama, but BBC Sport's tactics correspondent Umir Irfan has been examining their strengths and believes England do have cause to be wary...

    Media caption,

    Panama are out as the lose to Croatia 1-0

    Media caption,

    Highlights: Last gasp drama in Ghana vs Panama

  8. Postpublished at 13:19 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    That huge 6-1 win may be a historic one for England, but the Panama of 2018 is different to that of 2026.

    Thomas Christiansen's side sit 42nd in the world rankings, above the likes of Cameroon, Slovakia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Defender Amir Murillo (23) of Panama is seen with the ball during the second half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Panama and Croatia on June 23, 2026, at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, ON.Image source, Getty Images
  9. England 6-1 Panama - 2018 World Cuppublished at 13:17 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    There are five England players still in the squad from the last time these met.

    Goalscorers Kane and Stones started, as did goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and midfielder Jordan Henderson. Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute.

  10. Panama v England head-to-headpublished at 13:07 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    The two nations have only met once before, but that was also in a World Cup group stage match in 2018.

    England won the game 6-1 - their biggest ever win at a World Cup - which sent them through to the knockout stages.

    England captain Harry Kane scored a hat-trick that day, but can you name the other scorers?

    Harry Kane celebrates for England against Panama in 2018Image source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 13:06 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Ghana may have been a tough team to break down, but the Three Lions had no such issues when they faced Saturday's opponents, Panama, in the 2018 World Cup...

  12. Are England missing an X-factor?published at 13:01 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    In the first game against Croatia, England's runners out wide and through the centre offered a threat. With Ghana sitting back, the Three Lions needed a touch of individual magic - but could not find it.

    Bukayo Saka offered hope in his cameo, underscoring a dilemma for Tuchel around his wide men and the need for change.

    Barcelona's new buy Anthony Gordon was once again quiet. It was no surprise when he was replaced by Saka 25 minutes from time, and the Arsenal man at least forced Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare into a fine late save.

    The early evidence suggests it will not be long before Saka, who is managing an Achilles injury, and Marcus Rashford take England's wide positions.

  13. Postpublished at 12:59 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    So England dominated possession but struggled to beat Ghana's stubborn defence.

    What should Thomas Tuchel do if the Panama game plays out the same way?

  14. England's draw with Ghanapublished at 12:56 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    After their thrilling second-half show in the 4-2 win over Croatia, a familiar tale of frustration unfolded against Ghana as Tuchel’s team couldn’t turn dominance into more goals.

    Not until the 86th minute did Nico O’Reilly rattle the crossbar, before captain Harry Kane uncharacteristically skied the rebound.

    England’s 19 shots were their most without scoring in any World Cup match for 24 years; meanwhile, Ghana’s two were the fewest the Three Lions have faced since such records began back in 1966.

    England also had 78.9% possession, and that’s the highest recorded by any side that ultimately failed to find the net on record in World Cup history (also since 1966).

    StatsImage source, Opta
  15. No need to panic for England - but Ghana draw was a reality checkpublished at 12:51 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Head coach Thomas Tuchel claimed England's thrilling opening World Cup win against Croatia would have excited "fans in pubs". The dismal follow-up against Ghana would have sobered them up instantly.

    The manner in which England dismantled Croatia raised expectation and excitement levels, but this was a brutal reality check as Ghana's resilience, physicality and organisation built an insurmountable barrier.

    England are leading Group L and set to qualify for the last 32 - and Declan Rice echoed the post-match mood of "no panic" in the camp when he told BBC Sport: "We still have a great chance to top the group against Panama, so positivity all round."

    Not quite all round given the Three Lions' lack of creativity in the face of Ghana's durability - but Tuchel's side still remain in a healthy position.

    If the victory against Croatia made watching England fun, this was back to the grindstone where they were forced to do the dirty work, but could not break through.

  16. Why did England struggle to break down Ghana?published at 12:45 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    BBC Sport football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan breaks down the reasons why Thomas Tuchel's England were held to a 0-0 draw against Ghana.

    Media caption,

    How Ghana's 5-4-1 neutralised England

  17. Will England learn from Ghana game?published at 12:45 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    In Thomas Tuchel's interview with Kelly Somers, the England manager was asked whether Ghana had set a blueprint for how to play against his side.

    Tuchel brushed off this suggestion but it does leave fans wondering how the Three Lions may play against Panama.

    BBC Sport's football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan has been delving into the details to see why Tuchel's team came up short against Ghana and were held to a 0-0 stalemate.

  18. England's potential route through the knockout phasepublished at 12:37 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    So that's who England can play in the last 32, but what about after that, if they win their first knockout game?

    If England top their group and come through their last-32 tie, they would go on to play a last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which would be against co-hosts Mexico if they win their first knockout match.

    That game is currently set to be played at 01:00 BST in the early hours of Monday, 6 July.

    Following that, Miami will be the venue on Saturday, 11 July - with a more reasonable kick-off time at 22:00 BST - where they'll face one of Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast and Norway in the quarters.

    Another win would see them potentially face defending champions Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday, 15 July, at 20:00 BST back in Atlanta.

    If they win that and reach the final in New York on Sunday 19 July, it could be anyone from the other side of the draw, which includes Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, among others.

    If they lose in the last four, it'll be back to Miami on Saturday, 18 July, for the Third Place game against the other beaten semi-finalist.

    See the full knockout stage bracket as it stands here.

  19. Who will England play in the last 32?published at 12:27 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Spot on that Lee.

    As we've been saying, England's progression was made official overnight thanks to results elsewhere, but who could they play next?

    As it stands, they're set to play Senegal in the last 32, but it will be DR Congo for Thomas Tuchel's men in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST) if they finish third in Group K.