It’s a story as old as time itself. England look great coming into the tournament, deliver one display of attacking prowess in the group stages and promptly recede into their creative shells as side after side deploys a low block they cannot break down. 

In this case, it was the counter-attacking threat of Panama that England’s management team were wary of, but bested, with England coming out on top. 

In the other group game, Croatia showed they’re still a side to be reckoned with in this tournament, despite their opening defeat to England, by registering a win against Ghana that saw them finish second in the group and Ghana progress in third. 

***

Panama 0 - 2 England 

Was it easy? No. Was it comfortable to watch? Also no. Did England fans work themselves up into an incandescent rage when England couldn’t find a breakthrough in the first half? Come on, of course they did. 

England might not have made the first half look easy, but they dug deep to find two goal in five minutes to beat already-eliminated Panama and ensure they will top the group. 

We’re familiar with the pattern of teams sitting deep and England struggling to break them down, but England’s makeshift backline (with Quansah coming in for the injured Reece James at right back) being tested significantly by a sprightly Panama. 

Multiple Panama counter attacks came down the right hand side with Quansah (normally a right-sided CB) struggling with his positioning and decision making to leave space in behind. 

But it was England who found the way through in the 62nd minute through Jude Bellingham, who won a wrestling match at a corner to toe-poke home past the keeper and open the scoring. That was followed by a slightly sunburnt Harry Kane’s 11th England World Cup goal, which took him to the top of the standings for England, surpassing Gary Lineker’s 10.

Kane connected with a perfect Bellingham cross to underline how important this duo is, and will continue to be, for England’s chances of success in this tournament. 

There was concern late in the game as Quansah himself went down with an injury, leaving an already depleted right-back position now looking positively desperate for England, who will be hoping for the return of James as soon as possible. 

***

Croatia 2 - 1 Ghana

Croatia did what England couldn’t and beat Ghana 2-1 in an entertaining match at the Philadelphia Stadium. 

Ghana, repeating the low block at times that frustrated England, came undone in the 31st minute as Sučić decided to bypass the block with a long range strike that beat the keeper down low. 

Ghana found themselves back in it after a Luckassen header from a Nuamah cross was checked by VAR for around four minutes in total before finally being awarded the way of the African side. 

As Ghana chased a winner, they found the momentum shift from under them instead. Mario Pasalic’s effort was marvellously saved, but it was Luka Modric who turned provider in the 83rd minute, with his corner meeting the head of Valsic to give Croatia a narrow win.

The result seals their spot in the last 32 as group runners-up.

Croatia will now face Portugal on Friday July 3rd, while Ghana have the tough test of Colombia in Kansas City next Saturday.

***

Final table: