Match story
- Costa Rica fired more attempts (13 vs 10 shots).
- Panama was more accurate in front of goal (40% on target vs 23%).
Panama defeated Costa Rica 3-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2023 season. The match was played at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in Ciudad de Panamá. H. Martinez officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Panama vs Costa Rica meeting in CONCACAF Nations League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Panama and Costa Rica. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
CONCACAF Nations LeagueRecorded meetings: 7 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Panama defeated Costa Rica 3-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2023 season. The match was played at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in Ciudad de Panamá. H. Martinez officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Panama vs Costa Rica meeting in CONCACAF Nations League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Panama and Costa Rica. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
CONCACAF Nations LeagueRecorded meetings: 7 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Football report Nick Ames answered your questions about Kane’s captaincy, Tuchel’s future, and England’s team psychology ohfffs asks: How many good performances did England manage in this World Cup? There was a really good half against Croatia and a good start against Mexico, but most of the rest was pretty poor. They were limp against Panama, dreadful against Ghana, just about hung on against Mexico and were very lucky to get past Norway. We know England can qualify but looked at objectively England were pretty underwhelming throughout.Nick says:“Good” is subjective but let’s say it means “controlled the game”. One thing I’d say is that – at club level too – there’s this expectation among fans for 90-minute performances that in reality only come around every so often. Most teams nowadays are good, brilliantly drilled, and will have their moments in a game. You would expect Croatia, Mexico, Norway and even DR Congo all to cause a few problems. You’d expect Ghana to spoil given Carlos Queiroz was in charge. So I’m not overly surprised these games were quite patchy. Spain or Argentina will win the World Cup and I’m not sure either will look back and say that, in terms of control, they really put it together over a consistent run of matches – although Spain’s masterclass against France was an exception. They’ve simply been better in the moments that mattered.Ultimately it stops with him. I can’t really look much further on this one. Maybe Messi’s cross shouldn’t be met by 5ft 9in Martinez with Stones jumping in front… maybe Bellingham should see the danger more quickly and be out to block Fernandez. But players are not going to get everything 100% right if you’re asked to park the bus for 40 minutes, especially not against a team with such cunning and craft. And ask yourself this – apart from Dan Burn maybe, how many of these England players are really used to manning a rearguard action at domestic level? It was one thing doing this with 10 men against a Mexico team whose one idea was to cross the ball badly. Quite another here. And even if shoring up the back line, why not retain some ball-carrying threat from wide, which would also have the effect of giving Argentina’s attacking full-backs something to think about? We could go on forever.I think Tuchel should stay, there is little point rolling the dice again when little broader vision is evident in any case. It’s not quite enough of a flop to cut ties now. But make no mistake – he was brought in to win things, nothing less, so if England do not win Euro 2028 then his appointment has been a failure. Continue reading...
This heavyweight clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will directly alter the tournament landscape. Let's take a closer look at the knockout scenarios and how the ultimate victor will impact the rest of the bracket. In one of the most anticipated Round of 32 matchups of the 2026 World Cup, Portugal and Croatia are battling for much more than mere survival. This heavyweight clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will directly alter the tournament landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the knockout scenarios and how the ultimate victor will impact the rest of the bracket. Both national teams arrive in Toronto after finishing as runners-up in their respective groups. Portugal secured second place in Group K behind Colombia, while Croatia recovered from an opening defeat to England to finish second in Group L, setting up the first-ever World Cup meeting between these European rivals. Portugal advanced through the group stage unbeaten but without completely convincing. Roberto Martinez’s side opened with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, produced a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic brace, and then played out a goalless draw with Colombia. Croatia also experienced mixed fortunes before finding momentum. Zlatko Dalic’s side suffered a 4-2 defeat against England before responding with narrow victories over Panama and Ghana to secure qualification for the knockout rounds. Pos.TeamPldW-D-LPtsStatus1.Colombia32-1-07Advanced2.Portugal31-2-05Advanced3.DR Congo31-1-14Advanced4.Uzbekistan30-0-30Eliminated The matchup also renews a rivalry that has largely favored Portugal. The Selecao das Quinas has won seven of the previous ten meetings between the two countries, although the Checkered Ones have built a reputation for thriving in World Cup knockout soccer regardless of previous records. PosTeamPldW-D-LPtsStatus1.England32-1-07Advanced2.Croatia32-0-16Advanced3.Ghana31-1-14Eliminated4.Panama30-0-30Eliminated What happens if Portugal wins and Croatia loses? A victory over Croatia would send Portugal into the Round of 16, where another demanding challenge would await. The national team would face the winner of Spain vs. Austria, with the opportunity to continue chasing a place in the quarter-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring. Should Portugal progress beyond that stage, the route becomes even more demanding. A potential quarter-final against Belgium or the United States could follow, while later rounds may feature European giants such as France, Germany, or the Netherlands, highlighting just how difficult this section of the bracket could become. Despite the challenge, Portugal would remain among the tournament favorites. With experienced stars and attacking quality throughout the squad, advancing against Croatia would keep the dream of another World Cup title very much alive. What happens if the match is tied after 90 minutes? A draw at the end of regulation would only be the beginning of the drama. Knockout matches cannot finish level, meaning the contest would move into 30 minutes of extra time, and if neither side finds a winner, a penalty shootout would decide who progresses. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal drinks at the hydration break From a bracket perspective, the outcome remains identical regardless of whether qualification comes after 90 minutes, extra time, or penalties. The advancing team would continue along the same knockout path, while the defeated nation would see its World Cup campaign come to an immediate end. What happens if Croatia wins and Portugal loses? Should Croatia eliminate Portugal, one of the tournament’s leading contenders would exit far earlier than expected. Croatia would inherit Portugal’s position in the bracket and continue into the Round of 16 to face the winner of Spain versus Austria. Petar Musa #26 of Croatia celebrates with teammates. Such an upset would significantly alter the balance of power on this
As Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric brace for a defining moment in their 2026 World Cup campaign, a hidden truth lies in the numbers. Old foes will cross paths once more as Portugal and Croatia prepare for a monumental Round of 32 battle beneath the lights of BMO Field in Toronto. As Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric brace for a defining moment in their 2026 World Cup campaign, a hidden truth lies in the numbers. Portugal reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group K, while Croatia also progressed as runner-up in Group L. Ronaldo and his teammates enter the contest with a strong historical record against their European rival, having won seven of the previous 10 meetings. However, Luka Modric’s side’s proven pedigree in major tournaments promises another demanding challenge. Roberto Martinez and his players’ group-stage campaign produced mixed emotions despite remaining unbeaten. The Selecao opened with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo before delivering an emphatic 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice, and then secured qualification after a goalless draw against Colombia. Croatia recovered impressively after suffering a 4-2 defeat to England in its opening fixture. Zlatko Dalic’s side responded with victories over Panama and Ghana to book a place in the Round of 32, reinforcing its reputation as one of international football’s toughest knockout opponents. osip Stanisic of Croatia and Joao Felix of Portugal compete for the ball during 2024 International Friendly Portugal’s current FIFA ranking revealed and how it compares to Croatia After building anticipation ahead of the match, Portugal currently sits eighth in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking with 1,764.86 ranking points, having slipped three places since the start of the tournament. Although it entered the World Cup among the highest-ranked nations, its inconsistent group-stage displays have resulted in a slight drop. Croatia, meanwhile, has dropped down to 13th in the latest rankings with 1,723.05 points, reflecting its mixed performances since the start. The Blazers entered the 2026 World Cup ranked 11th in the official FIFA Men’s World Ranking. TeamFIFA Ranking at Start of the World CupCurrent FIFA RankingCurrent FIFA PointsPortugal5th8th (-3)1,764.86Croatia11th13th (-2)1,723.05 That difference suggests Portugal holds the statistical edge, but it is not large enough to offer comfort. Both national teams are close enough in ranking to make the matchup feel like a true 50-50 knockout battle rather than a clear favorite-versus-underdog scenario. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal drinks at the hydration break Last 16 place on the line With both national teams fully fit, experienced, and packed with world-class talent, the Round of 32 meeting promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage. Portugal carries the higher FIFA ranking and a stronger recent head-to-head record, while Croatia brings proven tournament resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure.
Good value for money, can score goals and plays well off a good centre forward like the one we have. Martin: Cristian Jesus Martinez, Panamanian midfield player who impressed me when playing against England. As a back up player and maybe as a surprise buy, he is worth a couple of million.
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm EDT/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | Golden Boot | Mail Scott⚽️ Croatia v Ghana – live news from the group’s other gameAs expected, England have made five changes to the side that started the goalless draw with Ghana earlier in the week. Reece James is hamstrung, so in comes Jarell Quansah at right-back. Nico O’Reilly reclaims the left-back spot from Djed Spence. Declan Rice is rested, to save his back; he’s replaced by Morgan Rogers in a more attack-minded midfield. And up front, Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon are replaced by Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, who livened things up late on against Ghana.Panama: Mosquera, Murillo, Escobar, Cordoba, Andrade, Gutierrez, Martinez, Barcenas, Harvey, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Tomas Rodriguez.Subs: Mejia, Samudio, Blackman, Farina, Carrasquilla, Diaz, Ramos, Davis, Fajardo, Waterman, Quintero, Godoy, Yanis, Londono, Miller. Continue reading...
Despite their latest draw to Ghana, England arrive as top contenders for the 2026 World Cup. To achieve that, they face today Panama, chasing a victory to remain as leaders of the Group L. In light of this, fans are keeping a close eye on Harry Kane’s presence. England have arrived at the 2026 World Cup as clear favorites to win the title, recording one victory and one draw. Looking to secure first place in Group L, they face Panama today as the favorites to claim the win. However, Thomas Christiansen’s team may not make things easy, as they are chasing their first victory of the tournament. Therefore, fans are closely watching the status of Harry Kane. Harry Kane will start for England, as he is fully fit and has no suspensions pending. With first place in the group not yet secured, head coach Thomas Tuchel could stick with the experienced striker, as he remains the team’s best player. In addition, he will be looking to close the gap on Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland in the 2026 World Cup‘s scoring charts, arriving highly motivated. Alongside Kane, Thomas Tuchel will rely on Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka on the wings, looking to exploit the spaces in the opposition’s defense. In addition, Jude Bellingham will once again be essential as the attacking midfielder, making runs into space. As a clearly attack-minded team, they are aiming to shine in the goalscoring department. However, the defense remains a major talking point, as they will be without Reece James at right back. Panama have failed to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup. While they delivered competitive performances, they were unable to secure even a draw, leaving them eliminated. Nevertheless, head coach Thomas Christiansen will be looking to earn at least a draw or a victory, defeating England in what would be a historic result. To achieve this, they are expected to stick with the same tactical approach: Defensive solidity and counterattacks. Jude Bellingham #10 of England celebrates with Harry Kane #9 after scoring a goal. Panama confirmed lineup vs England Looking for their first victory at the 2026 World Cup, Panama will rely on their defensive solidity as their main weapon against England. As a result, Thomas Christiansen is likely to stick with his five-man defensive line. However, they will look to attack on the counter, making use of their wing-backs and wide midfielders. Their biggest challenge will be in the goalscoring department, meaning all eyes are on Tomás Rodriguez. With this in mind, Panama will play as follows: Orlando Mosquera; Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade, Jorge Gutiérrez; Cristian Martínez, Yoel Bárcenas, Carlos Harvey, José Luis Rodríguez; Tomás Rodriguez. England confirmed lineup vs Panama England could adopt a highly attacking approach to face Panama. To do so, Thomas Tuchel will keep Harry Kane as the focal point of the attack. However, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are the players with the greatest opportunity to shine, as the veteran striker could create plenty of space for them. In addition, Djed Spence has emerged as the leading candidate to start at right back, as Reece James will miss the match through injury. Considering this, England will lineup as follows: Jordan Pickford; Jarell Quansah, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.
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Football report Nick Ames answered your questions about Kane’s captaincy, Tuchel’s future, and England’s team psychology ohfffs asks: How many good performances did England manage in this World Cup? There was a really good half against Croatia and a good start against Mexico, but most of the rest was pretty poor. They were limp against Panama, dreadful against Ghana, just about hung on against Mexico and were very lucky to get past Norway. We know England can qualify but looked at objectively England were pretty underwhelming throughout.Nick says:“Good” is subjective but let’s say it means “controlled the game”. One thing I’d say is that – at club level too – there’s this expectation among fans for 90-minute performances that in reality only come around every so often. Most teams nowadays are good, brilliantly drilled, and will have their moments in a game. You would expect Croatia, Mexico, Norway and even DR Congo all to cause a few problems. You’d expect Ghana to spoil given Carlos Queiroz was in charge. So I’m not overly surprised these games were quite patchy. Spain or Argentina will win the World Cup and I’m not sure either will look back and say that, in terms of control, they really put it together over a consistent run of matches – although Spain’s masterclass against France was an exception. They’ve simply been better in the moments that mattered.Ultimately it stops with him. I can’t really look much further on this one. Maybe Messi’s cross shouldn’t be met by 5ft 9in Martinez with Stones jumping in front… maybe Bellingham should see the danger more quickly and be out to block Fernandez. But players are not going to get everything 100% right if you’re asked to park the bus for 40 minutes, especially not against a team with such cunning and craft. And ask yourself this – apart from Dan Burn maybe, how many of these England players are really used to manning a rearguard action at domestic level? It was one thing doing this with 10 men against a Mexico team whose one idea was to cross the ball badly. Quite another here. And even if shoring up the back line, why not retain some ball-carrying threat from wide, which would also have the effect of giving Argentina’s attacking full-backs something to think about? We could go on forever.I think Tuchel should stay, there is little point rolling the dice again when little broader vision is evident in any case. It’s not quite enough of a flop to cut ties now. But make no mistake – he was brought in to win things, nothing less, so if England do not win Euro 2028 then his appointment has been a failure. Continue reading...
This heavyweight clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will directly alter the tournament landscape. Let's take a closer look at the knockout scenarios and how the ultimate victor will impact the rest of the bracket. In one of the most anticipated Round of 32 matchups of the 2026 World Cup, Portugal and Croatia are battling for much more than mere survival. This heavyweight clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will directly alter the tournament landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the knockout scenarios and how the ultimate victor will impact the rest of the bracket. Both national teams arrive in Toronto after finishing as runners-up in their respective groups. Portugal secured second place in Group K behind Colombia, while Croatia recovered from an opening defeat to England to finish second in Group L, setting up the first-ever World Cup meeting between these European rivals. Portugal advanced through the group stage unbeaten but without completely convincing. Roberto Martinez’s side opened with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, produced a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic brace, and then played out a goalless draw with Colombia. Croatia also experienced mixed fortunes before finding momentum. Zlatko Dalic’s side suffered a 4-2 defeat against England before responding with narrow victories over Panama and Ghana to secure qualification for the knockout rounds. Pos.TeamPldW-D-LPtsStatus1.Colombia32-1-07Advanced2.Portugal31-2-05Advanced3.DR Congo31-1-14Advanced4.Uzbekistan30-0-30Eliminated The matchup also renews a rivalry that has largely favored Portugal. The Selecao das Quinas has won seven of the previous ten meetings between the two countries, although the Checkered Ones have built a reputation for thriving in World Cup knockout soccer regardless of previous records. PosTeamPldW-D-LPtsStatus1.England32-1-07Advanced2.Croatia32-0-16Advanced3.Ghana31-1-14Eliminated4.Panama30-0-30Eliminated What happens if Portugal wins and Croatia loses? A victory over Croatia would send Portugal into the Round of 16, where another demanding challenge would await. The national team would face the winner of Spain vs. Austria, with the opportunity to continue chasing a place in the quarter-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring. Should Portugal progress beyond that stage, the route becomes even more demanding. A potential quarter-final against Belgium or the United States could follow, while later rounds may feature European giants such as France, Germany, or the Netherlands, highlighting just how difficult this section of the bracket could become. Despite the challenge, Portugal would remain among the tournament favorites. With experienced stars and attacking quality throughout the squad, advancing against Croatia would keep the dream of another World Cup title very much alive. What happens if the match is tied after 90 minutes? A draw at the end of regulation would only be the beginning of the drama. Knockout matches cannot finish level, meaning the contest would move into 30 minutes of extra time, and if neither side finds a winner, a penalty shootout would decide who progresses. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal drinks at the hydration break From a bracket perspective, the outcome remains identical regardless of whether qualification comes after 90 minutes, extra time, or penalties. The advancing team would continue along the same knockout path, while the defeated nation would see its World Cup campaign come to an immediate end. What happens if Croatia wins and Portugal loses? Should Croatia eliminate Portugal, one of the tournament’s leading contenders would exit far earlier than expected. Croatia would inherit Portugal’s position in the bracket and continue into the Round of 16 to face the winner of Spain versus Austria. Petar Musa #26 of Croatia celebrates with teammates. Such an upset would significantly alter the balance of power on this
As Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric brace for a defining moment in their 2026 World Cup campaign, a hidden truth lies in the numbers. Old foes will cross paths once more as Portugal and Croatia prepare for a monumental Round of 32 battle beneath the lights of BMO Field in Toronto. As Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric brace for a defining moment in their 2026 World Cup campaign, a hidden truth lies in the numbers. Portugal reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group K, while Croatia also progressed as runner-up in Group L. Ronaldo and his teammates enter the contest with a strong historical record against their European rival, having won seven of the previous 10 meetings. However, Luka Modric’s side’s proven pedigree in major tournaments promises another demanding challenge. Roberto Martinez and his players’ group-stage campaign produced mixed emotions despite remaining unbeaten. The Selecao opened with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo before delivering an emphatic 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice, and then secured qualification after a goalless draw against Colombia. Croatia recovered impressively after suffering a 4-2 defeat to England in its opening fixture. Zlatko Dalic’s side responded with victories over Panama and Ghana to book a place in the Round of 32, reinforcing its reputation as one of international football’s toughest knockout opponents. osip Stanisic of Croatia and Joao Felix of Portugal compete for the ball during 2024 International Friendly Portugal’s current FIFA ranking revealed and how it compares to Croatia After building anticipation ahead of the match, Portugal currently sits eighth in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking with 1,764.86 ranking points, having slipped three places since the start of the tournament. Although it entered the World Cup among the highest-ranked nations, its inconsistent group-stage displays have resulted in a slight drop. Croatia, meanwhile, has dropped down to 13th in the latest rankings with 1,723.05 points, reflecting its mixed performances since the start. The Blazers entered the 2026 World Cup ranked 11th in the official FIFA Men’s World Ranking. TeamFIFA Ranking at Start of the World CupCurrent FIFA RankingCurrent FIFA PointsPortugal5th8th (-3)1,764.86Croatia11th13th (-2)1,723.05 That difference suggests Portugal holds the statistical edge, but it is not large enough to offer comfort. Both national teams are close enough in ranking to make the matchup feel like a true 50-50 knockout battle rather than a clear favorite-versus-underdog scenario. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal drinks at the hydration break Last 16 place on the line With both national teams fully fit, experienced, and packed with world-class talent, the Round of 32 meeting promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage. Portugal carries the higher FIFA ranking and a stronger recent head-to-head record, while Croatia brings proven tournament resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure.
Good value for money, can score goals and plays well off a good centre forward like the one we have. Martin: Cristian Jesus Martinez, Panamanian midfield player who impressed me when playing against England. As a back up player and maybe as a surprise buy, he is worth a couple of million.
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm EDT/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | Golden Boot | Mail Scott⚽️ Croatia v Ghana – live news from the group’s other gameAs expected, England have made five changes to the side that started the goalless draw with Ghana earlier in the week. Reece James is hamstrung, so in comes Jarell Quansah at right-back. Nico O’Reilly reclaims the left-back spot from Djed Spence. Declan Rice is rested, to save his back; he’s replaced by Morgan Rogers in a more attack-minded midfield. And up front, Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon are replaced by Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, who livened things up late on against Ghana.Panama: Mosquera, Murillo, Escobar, Cordoba, Andrade, Gutierrez, Martinez, Barcenas, Harvey, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Tomas Rodriguez.Subs: Mejia, Samudio, Blackman, Farina, Carrasquilla, Diaz, Ramos, Davis, Fajardo, Waterman, Quintero, Godoy, Yanis, Londono, Miller. Continue reading...
Despite their latest draw to Ghana, England arrive as top contenders for the 2026 World Cup. To achieve that, they face today Panama, chasing a victory to remain as leaders of the Group L. In light of this, fans are keeping a close eye on Harry Kane’s presence. England have arrived at the 2026 World Cup as clear favorites to win the title, recording one victory and one draw. Looking to secure first place in Group L, they face Panama today as the favorites to claim the win. However, Thomas Christiansen’s team may not make things easy, as they are chasing their first victory of the tournament. Therefore, fans are closely watching the status of Harry Kane. Harry Kane will start for England, as he is fully fit and has no suspensions pending. With first place in the group not yet secured, head coach Thomas Tuchel could stick with the experienced striker, as he remains the team’s best player. In addition, he will be looking to close the gap on Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland in the 2026 World Cup‘s scoring charts, arriving highly motivated. Alongside Kane, Thomas Tuchel will rely on Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka on the wings, looking to exploit the spaces in the opposition’s defense. In addition, Jude Bellingham will once again be essential as the attacking midfielder, making runs into space. As a clearly attack-minded team, they are aiming to shine in the goalscoring department. However, the defense remains a major talking point, as they will be without Reece James at right back. Panama have failed to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup. While they delivered competitive performances, they were unable to secure even a draw, leaving them eliminated. Nevertheless, head coach Thomas Christiansen will be looking to earn at least a draw or a victory, defeating England in what would be a historic result. To achieve this, they are expected to stick with the same tactical approach: Defensive solidity and counterattacks. Jude Bellingham #10 of England celebrates with Harry Kane #9 after scoring a goal. Panama confirmed lineup vs England Looking for their first victory at the 2026 World Cup, Panama will rely on their defensive solidity as their main weapon against England. As a result, Thomas Christiansen is likely to stick with his five-man defensive line. However, they will look to attack on the counter, making use of their wing-backs and wide midfielders. Their biggest challenge will be in the goalscoring department, meaning all eyes are on Tomás Rodriguez. With this in mind, Panama will play as follows: Orlando Mosquera; Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade, Jorge Gutiérrez; Cristian Martínez, Yoel Bárcenas, Carlos Harvey, José Luis Rodríguez; Tomás Rodriguez. England confirmed lineup vs Panama England could adopt a highly attacking approach to face Panama. To do so, Thomas Tuchel will keep Harry Kane as the focal point of the attack. However, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are the players with the greatest opportunity to shine, as the veteran striker could create plenty of space for them. In addition, Djed Spence has emerged as the leading candidate to start at right back, as Reece James will miss the match through injury. Considering this, England will lineup as follows: Jordan Pickford; Jarell Quansah, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.
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