Tensions ran high in Panama’s pre-England training session, with two players almost coming to blows in a heated exchange.
Cecilio Waterman and Jose Luis Rodriguez were filmed arguing verbally and the row then escalated as Waterman aggressively shoved his team-mate.
England are aiming to top Group L at the World Cup on Saturday, while Panama have already been eliminated after two defeats.
The Central Americans’ camp is clearly not a happy one on the eve of their final game at the tournament.
Waterman, a striker who plays for Universidad de Concepción in Chile, was held back by team-mates to prevent him pursuing Rodriguez further.
Rodriguez, 28, plays for Juárez in the Mexican top flight and did not appear interested in continuing the row.
Cecilio Waterman (back, centre) aggressively shoved Panama team-mate Jose Luis Rodriguez during a training session on the eve of their game against England at the World Cup
Waterman aggressively pointed his finger at Rodriguez after pushing him and was then seen pacing, looking agitated.
He rubbed his face repeatedly with his hand and nudged a ball away in frustration. It remains unclear what sparked the confrontation.
Rodriguez has started both 1-0 defeats by Ghana and Croatia, while Waterman was only given the nod in the opener.
He was dropped for the second game and came off the bench as a substitute up front 76 minutes in.
It will be interesting to see whether Waterman and Rodriguez feature against Thomas Tuchel’s side on Saturday night, especially as they play within close proximity on the pitch.
Preparations for the game have also been less than ideal for England.
Reece James is fighting to prove his fitness for the Three Lions’ probable last-32 knockout game after tweaking a hamstring.
Tuchel had planned to rest James in New Jersey after featuring for 90 minutes in both the win over Croatia and the goalless draw with Ghana.
Rodriguez and Waterman were separated by team-mates who diffused the situation
The first-choice right back missed training with the team at their base in Kansas City on Friday before they flew out to the east coast.
James believes the latest hamstring issue will not present a major problem for the remainder of the tournament but Tuchel will doubtless be concerned.
The 26-year-old had missed six weeks towards the end of the Premier League season with another hamstring issue and there are a lack of specialist right backs behind him in the pecking order.
Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence are among those who can deputise for James, with England having already lost Tino Livramento to a calf problem.
A win over Panama would take England to Atlanta on Wednesday, while they will play in Toronto on Thursday should either Croatia or Ghana leapfrog them.
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