England
Ghana
Group L's early decider lands at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and both sides can confirm a last-32 spot with a game to spare if they win it. England put four past Croatia in their opener, the kind of scoreline that hadn't happened at a World Cup since the 1966 final, while Ghana scraped past Panama thanks to a stoppage-time winner from 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi. England sit top of the group on goal difference.
England — The Three Lions
The 4-2 win over Croatia ended a nine-game World Cup winless run against top-15 nations, and England's 20 shots inside the box set a new tournament record. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford did the damage after a shaky start defensively, and Thomas Tuchel has a call to make at the back given Ezri Konsa and John Stones were both at fault for Croatia's goals. Marc Guehi looks set to come in for one of them.
Further forward, Bukayo Saka trained again this week and was restricted to indoor work before that, but Noni Madueke is expected to keep his place on the right regardless. Rashford should be fit enough to involve himself, though after holding his hamstring late against Croatia and only entering as a substitute, he's more likely to be assessed than risked from the start, with Anthony Gordon the one tipped to keep that wide slot instead. Declan Rice has been managing his own hamstring issue for months but played down any concern after going off against Croatia, and he's expected to continue alongside Elliot Anderson screening the back four.
Ghana — The Black Stars
Ghana's win over Panama wasn't pretty. They went 94 minutes without scoring before Yirenkyi finished a sweeping counter-attack, and the result snapped a four-match winless run that had also seen them ship 10 goals across their previous 360 minutes. The bigger story all week has been Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada while awaiting a UK trial on charges he denies, but who has already been cleared to enter the United States and is expected to be involved here. The lineup pencilled in here keeps Elisha Owusu in the holding role alongside Yirenkyi, with Partey unused for now. Several outlets have it the other way round, with Partey walking straight back into the side in a double pivot and Owusu demoted to the bench.
In goal, Lawrence Ati-Zigi was taken off at half-time against Panama and conflicting reports have circulated about how serious it is, anywhere from day-by-day to a three-week absence. Benjamin Asare is set to continue regardless. Up front, Antoine Semenyo was rested for the Panama game to be fresh for the World Cup proper and is a certain starter, with Jordan Ayew, the 34-year-old captain with 33 international goals, leading the line ahead of options like Ernest Nuamah and Inaki Williams.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Jude Bellingham vs Ghana's midfield screen. England's rhythm depends on Bellingham finding space between the lines and turning to run at defenders. Whoever lines up alongside Yirenkyi in that holding role has to deny him the time to do it. If they can't, Kane and Madueke should have a steady supply of chances all afternoon.
Prediction
England have the far stronger squad and the form to back it up after that record-breaking display against Croatia. Ghana are well organised and dangerous in transition, and Yirenkyi's late winner against Panama shows they don't panic, but keeping this tight for 90 minutes against an England side this sharp in front of goal feels unlikely.
England 3–0 Ghana — Kane, Bellingham, Madueke
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