Up next Ghana as flying England chase knockouts

England can secure a place in the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare when they face Ghana in a pivotal Group L clash at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday.

Both teams arrive in Boston buoyed by opening-day victories. England survived a couple of scares to thump Croatia 4-2, while Ghana edged Panama 1-0 to move within touching distance of the last 32.

The Three Lions made an eye-catching start under Thomas Tuchel. Harry Kane struck twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were also on target as England combined attacking flair with moments of defensive vulnerability against Croatia.

The performance reinforced the belief that Tuchel's more adventurous approach could make England genuine contenders in North America. And based on their second-half performance, there remains a feeling that England have further gears they can click through, particularly with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford making an impact from the bench.

The psychological impact of England's striking success over Croatia cannot be overstated, as the Three Lions ended a nine-game winless World Cup run against teams in the top 15 of the world rankings, as well as snapping a six-match losing streak against such elite sides.

Elliot Anderson was among England’s top performers against Croatia, winning possession eight times, more than any other England player.

Ghana, meanwhile, arrive with confidence after a disciplined victory over Panama. The Black Stars failed to register a single first-half shot and generated 0.97 of their 1.25 expected goals in stoppage time, eventually claiming all three points through Caleb Yirenkyi's late winner.

The result left Ghana on the verge of a first World Cup knockout appearance since 2010 when they qualified for the quarterfinals.

They will also be boosted by the availability of Thomas Partey, who missed the Panama game after being denied entry into Canada. The former Arsenal midfielder faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in Britain, which he denies.

While Yirenkyi grabbed the headlines against Panama, England will be wary of Antoine Semenyo, who enjoyed an impressive Premier League season with Bournemouth but struggled to impose himself in the opener, registering just two shots and 36 touches -- the fewest of any Ghana player to complete the match.

**A goal against Ghana would see Harry Kane surpass Gary Lineker's 10 goals to become England's all-time top World Cup scorer.

**Only Germany (12 vs Curacao) registered more shots on target on Matchday 1 than England (11 vs Croatia).

**Excluding penalties, England led all teams on Matchday 1 for set-piece xG (1.09) and shots on target from set-pieces (5).

**Anderson has won possession 9.6 times per 90 minutes for England – at least double the rate of any other player under Tuchel (minimum 500 minutes played).

**Bellingham could earn his 50th England cap and, at 22 years and 359 days, become the youngest player to reach the milestone for the Three Lions.

**This will be the first World Cup meeting between England and Ghana. Their only previous encounter ended 1-1 in a Wembley friendly in March 2011, with goals from Andy Carroll and Asamoah Gyan.

**Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz’s heaviest defeat as a head coach at the FIFA World Cup was against England in the 2022 group stage – his Iran side lost 6-2.

**England are unbeaten against African opposition at the World Cup, recording five wins and three draws.