England’s World Cup campaign has reached its first crossroads.A dazzling 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opener suggested Thomas Tuchel’s side might finally have found the blend of talent and authority required to end six decades of hurt.Harry Kane struck twice, England attacked with freedom and confidence, and the tournament suddenly looked full of possibility.Then came Ghana.The goalless draw in Foxborough, Massachusetts brought England back down to earth, exposing the familiar frustrations that have haunted them at major tournaments.For all their possession and attacking talent, they struggled to break down stubborn opposition and needed a late surge merely to inject life into a performance that felt increasingly flat.England head into their final Group L match against Panama knowing finishing top of the group is within their grasp. They are level on four points with Ghana at the top and Croatia lurk just behind on three.“There were good parts and parts we can improve against Ghana,” Kane said. “It’s nothing to worry about and hopefully we can put it right against Panama.”Tuchel will be keen to avoid final-day complications and restore some of the momentum lost against Ghana.The spotlight will once again fall on Kane and Jude Bellingham. Kane remains England’s talisman and most reliable source of goals, while Bellingham’s ability to unlock packed defences could prove crucial against a Panama side expected to spend long periods without the ball.England have happy memories when it comes to this fixture.The last World Cup meeting between the teams produced one of their most emphatic victories, a 6-1 demolition in Nizhny Novgorod eight years ago in which Kane scored a hat-trick and England announced themselves as a force in Russia. They went on to finish fourth.Saturday presents another mismatch on paper. England are targeting top spot in Group L and a place in the knockout rounds, while already-eliminated Panama are playing only for pride and the chance to end their tournament on a positive note.Croatia and Ghana go go into Saturday’s final Group L game with their World Cup destiny in their own hands when a draw could send both sides into the round of 32 and a high-scoring match is unlikely.Ghana are second in the group, level on four points with leaders England. Croatia are one point behind in third, knowing they cannot finish any lower having beaten bottom side Panama who have yet to earn a point.Croatia are aware, however, that three points, and especially matched with a negative goal difference, may not be enough to earn one of the eight best third-placed berths in the knockout round, and will not be leaving anything to chance.Both sides recorded 1-0 wins over Panama, but while Croatia opened with a 4-2 loss to England, Ghana held the group leaders to a scoreless draw to leave themselves in pole position to advance.Croatia finished third in 2022, but four years on, the ageing squad’s performances are giving coach Zlatko Dalic cause for concern.Dalic called their defeat to England the worst set-piece defending of his nine-year tenure, and was unimpressed by their narrow win over Panama.His side now face a defensively solid Ghana who frustrated England, and have turned things around after an uninspiring buildup to the tournament. Ghana lost four consecutive games once qualifying was wrapped up, leading to the dismissal of Otto Addo.🇭🇷 Croatia’s record vs African nations:11 matches: 6 wins | 4 draws | 1 lossGoals: 21-11Fun fact: the only loss vs. Tunisia was the first game I watched/covered after making this account. pic.twitter.com/UWvuLGjfHV— Croatian Football  (@CroatiaFooty) June 26, 2026