England’s Three Lions roared into the World Cup last week with a fine 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas, and now face Ghana tonight with the chance to book their place in the last 32.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry were not happy with their side’s first-half display, in which they let two leads slip, but England came out firing after the break to blow away their opponents.
So who gets another chance to make it two from two? What must change in defence after a wobbly display at the back? And what about in attack?
Here, our experts in the States have picked their teams to beat Ghana. Do you agree? Make your case in the comments!
Oliver Holt
Chief Sports Writer
World Cups are highly dynamic environments and teams evolve quickly. England made a scintillating start in their opening game against Croatia but they looked vulnerable at the back in the first half and I’d start Marc Guehi ahead of Ezri Konsa against Ghana. I’m not sure why Tuchel left him out in the first place.
If Bukayo Saka is still not fit to start, Noni Madueke deserves to keep his place but I’d replace Anthony Gordon with Marcus Rashford.
Gordon was quiet in Dallas but Rashford exploded into the game. Capitalise on his confidence.
Ian Ladyman
Football Editor
If England win this game and Panama don’t beat Croatia, then Tuchel’s team will guarantee top spot in the group with a game to spare. That’s hugely important as it would enable the manager to rest and rotate players in England’s final group game on Saturday in New Jersey.
With this in mind, this is the strongest team currently available to Tuchel and includes two necessary changes from the win over Croatia.
John Stones didn’t look comfortable on the left of the centre-back pairing and I have replaced him with Guehi. And Rashford did enough as a sub against Croatia to earn a spot ahead of Gordon.
Craig Hope
Chief Football Reporter
I had thought coming out of Croatia that a change was needed at centre back, and that it was best to do it now. Guehi in for Konsa most likely. I was also disappointed by Gordon, a player I think a lot of. But the more I think about it, the more I believe it’s best to stick with the same XI.
Gordon needs a chance to be more involved and more impactful, and Rashford has shown himself to a brilliant ‘finisher’, in every sense of the word.
Also, Tuchel picked Konsa for a reason. And while he was shaky in the opener, he remains a more physical choice than Guehi.
Jack Gaughan
England Reporter
One change: Guehi in for Konsa, just for more balance in the back two. Stones looks significantly more comfortable on the right, while Guehi has never let England down.
Further up the pitch, it’s a case of ‘if it ain’t broke’. There will be a clamour for Rashford to start but he affected the game off the bench brilliantly the other night, so why not go with that again?
Obviously Saka has a place if he’s fit enough.
Mike Keegan
Chief Sports Reporter
Play it again, Tom! Much has been said about the performance of Gordon but I’d flip that a little. Yes – things may not have come off for the Barcelona man – but when he came off, he left behind a Croatian defence exhausted and ripe for Rashford (and Saka) to exploit.
Konsa and Stones should be better for a game together. This is a chance to build cohesion and, hopefully, secure three points that turns Panama into a match for the second XI.
Ian Herbert
Deputy Chief Sports Writer
It has to be Guehi instead of Stones who for me – and many of us – looked rusty against Croatia. Guehi will also be better in one-on-one situations when the defensive line is isolated.
Ghana were weakened by injuries coming into the tournament but they do have pace and unpredictability up front. I was impressed by Madueke against Croatia – a constant attacking threat, who’s looked good when I’ve watched Arsenal this season. So, I’ve picked him ahead of Saka in my ideal XI.
And like I said ahead of the Croatia match, it’s always Rashford above Gordon for me. He proved why in Dallas with that capacity to change the game in a single burst of pace and power. Gordon is so much more predictable.
Riath Al-Samarrai
Chief Sports Feature Writer
England’s lack of depth in defence shows at this stage because I wouldn’t fancy either of the centre backs based on the Croatia game, but the logical choice is to swap Konsa for Guehi, who should have started last week.
I’d also favour Rashford over Gordon on the left after his impact from the bench. Saka will come in when he’s fully fit, which isn’t quite yet.
I’d also be mindful of Ghanaian physicality – I was at their pre-World Cup friendly against Wales and they don’t hold back. Better off preserving Saka’s achilles a while longer.
