Panama – England

The two opponents will score at least three goals between them.

Relations between Panama and England national teams began at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. At that World Cup the Panamanians arrived not prepared to seriously challenge their opponents. In the same group as this team was England, which inflicted a painful 6-1 defeat on Panama. Three goals in that match were scored by Harry Kane, two of which came from penalties. Before the second meeting of World Cup rivals, England tops Group L but has a lead over Ghana only on goal difference. The European and African teams have four points each. Croatia has three points and sits in third place. Panama lost both of their previous group matches 0-1 and has no chance of rising above fourth place, even if they manage to score ten incredible goals against England. The motivation of the nominal hosts is the first World Cup goal, the first point earned, and the possibility of spoiling the mood of one of the strongest national teams in the world. It may seem that all of this is not much, but in reality the Panamanian players have enough to show their full potential. If we draw parallels with other groups, one can notice how in similar conditions in the third round Turkey, Haiti or Curaçao played. These teams behaved on the field as if they were playing in the World Cup final, not in a farewell match for themselves. England's motivation to win is also beyond doubt. The Three Lions will not fall below second place, but the gap between the first and second positions in the group, in terms of their prospects for the Round of 16, is colossal. Beating Panama and waiting for an opponent in the playoffs who finished third in one of the parallel groups is not the same as dropping points against the group's bottom team and facing Colombia or Portugal, who have a chance to finish second in Group K. It is likely that Thomas Tuchel will employ elements of squad rotation, but one should not expect a significant deterioration in the quality of play. England's team has two roughly equal lineups. Most likely, there will be many goals in the match. It is not ruled out that a goal or goals from Panama will contribute to this.