The England hype train came to a juddering halt against Ghana on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side couldn’t follow up their dismantling of Croatia with an equally impressive performance and their 0-0 draw with the 65th-best team in the world leaves them with work to do against Panama on Saturday.
In all likelihood, England will still top Group L. But they need to beat Panama convincingly to guarantee it and that means Tuchel may not shuffle his pack as much as he will have expected to.
But what changes should he be making? Who deserves a chance from the start, and who deserves a spell on the bench?
Here our England experts give their verdict on the starting XI Tuchel ought to pick against Panama. Do you agree? Make your case in the comments!
Michael Owen
Daily Mail Sport World Cup columnist
I’m going for full-on rotation, but my starting point is the XI I would pick for the last-32 tie. England should beat Panama with the team I have picked above, and that would allow my starters for the knockout rounds to have a rest.
I’d stick with Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke, who have played the opening two matches, because I’d bring in Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka once we’re beyond the group stage.
We’ve seen this week, important players are starting to pick up little niggles. We have to think long term, and our top stars should not be risked – or needed – against Panama.
Oliver Holt
Chief Sports Writer
I don’t see any point in risking any players who are nursing injuries so that rules out Reece James, Saka and Declan Rice.
England have a strong squad so Tuchel has to back it to get a result against Panama.
I thought Rashford should have started against Ghana and now this game gives him the opportunity to show what he can do and build momentum ahead of the last-32 tie.
Ian Ladyman
Football Editor
This is Tuchel’s best team and he needs to start picking it. He messed up in Boston.
Djed Spence is not an international full back and Anthony Gordon seems to have forgotten what made him so attractive to Barcelona.
I have concerns about the back four but they need the opportunity to grow in to the tournament. The alternatives aren’t particularly palatable anyway.
Craig Hope
Chief Football Reporter
This isn’t the dead-rubber we expected, so selection and the result takes on far greater significance.
I think, going forward, John Stones and Marc Guehi is the centre-back pairing Tuchel will go with, so do it now. Also, Nico O’Reilly will be needed at left back to offer more than Spence going forward, especially against a team in Panama who will likely replicate Ghana’s stubborn approach.
Rice and James do not need to be risked, so I’d bring Kobbie Mainoo into midfield. He can turn those little balls around a corner, and that’s what England lacked in Boston – some guile. As for the wingers, change them now.
Jack Gaughan
England Reporter
A tough team to pick. England need a result to make sure of topping the group but then there is the relentless schedule to think about. You’ve also got to be mindful that Panama are ranked 42nd in the world, significantly higher than Ghana.
Fitness doubts over James and Rice dictate that neither should be risked.
How many changes do you make? Saka off the bench again seems logical, while it could be a chance to try out a Stones-Guehi back two.
The best thing for Harry Kane is to start again for rhythm after missing that chance against Ghana and Jude Bellingham will want to continue.
There is an argument for playing Morgan Rogers off the right, though I’d probably stick with Madueke, while O’Reilly did enough when coming on the other day to regain his spot.
