Fans gather in Madison Square gardens ahead of England vs Panama on Saturday, Steve Scott reports
Englandâs place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup has been secured ahead of their final Group L game against Panama.
Results on Friday night, where Uruguay were beaten by Spain, meant that Thomas Tuchelâs men are assured a place in the last 32 whatever happens against the Central Americans in New Jersey on Saturday.
England are guaranteed to be one of the top eight third-placed finishers, meaning they will progress even if things go badly wrong against Panama.
But England manager Thomas Tuchel will have much stronger ambitions and they will finish top of the group if they can match Ghanaâs result against Croatia.
Excitement and expectations around the Euro 2024 runners-up grew after they started this summerâs shot with a strong 4-2 victory against Croatia in Dallas.
But Tuesdayâs underwhelming 0-0 draw with Ghana dampened the mood, with Tuchelâs side failing to find a spark in their bid to break down a low block in Boston.
England face a similar challenge in Saturdayâs match against eliminated Panama, who are 42nd in FIFAâs world rankings â 23 spots higher than Ghana.
Tuchel warned England face a "complex" final World Cup group game as he continues to seek the "recipe" to breaking down defence-minded teams.
"We will face another deep block in another kind of formation," Tuchel said. "We now see a back five. For many moments in the match we see a back six, we see a back seven.
"Normally we try to overload parts and areas in the match, try to overload and then accelerate quickly in this moment of overload.
"There was no overload against Ghana. There will very likely be no overload against Panama."
Tuchel added: "I havenât found the recipe where âthey do this, then we do this â and then we are fine".
More than 15,000 Three Lions supporters are expected to travel to New Jersey for the game on Saturday, with many taking the opportunity to combine the trip with a sightseeing tour of nearby New York City.
Back in the UK, the late kick-off time of 10pm is expected to spare supporters from the daytime temperatures of more than 30Cs in east and south east England, as many are set to flock to pubs to watch the match.
Englandâs place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup has been secured ahead of their final Group L game against Panama.
Results on Friday night, where Uruguay were beaten by Spain, meant that Thomas Tuchelâs men are assured a place in the last 32 whatever happens against the Central Americans in New Jersey on Saturday.
England are guaranteed to be one of the top eight third-placed finishers, meaning they will progress even if things go badly wrong against Panama.
But England manager Thomas Tuchel will have much stronger ambitions and they will finish top of the group if they can match Ghanaâs result against Croatia.
Excitement and expectations around the Euro 2024 runners-up grew after they started this summerâs shot with a strong 4-2 victory against Croatia in Dallas.
But Tuesdayâs underwhelming 0-0 draw with Ghana dampened the mood, with Tuchelâs side failing to find a spark in their bid to break down a low block in Boston.
England face a similar challenge in Saturdayâs match against eliminated Panama, who are 42nd in FIFAâs world rankings â 23 spots higher than Ghana.
Tuchel warned England face a "complex" final World Cup group game as he continues to seek the "recipe" to breaking down defence-minded teams.
"We will face another deep block in another kind of formation," Tuchel said. "We now see a back five. For many moments in the match we see a back six, we see a back seven.
"Normally we try to overload parts and areas in the match, try to overload and then accelerate quickly in this moment of overload.
"There was no overload against Ghana. There will very likely be no overload against Panama."
Tuchel added: "I havenât found the recipe where âthey do this, then we do this â and then we are fine".
More than 15,000 Three Lions supporters are expected to travel to New Jersey for the game on Saturday, with many taking the opportunity to combine the trip with a sightseeing tour of nearby New York City.
Back in the UK, the late kick-off time of 10pm is expected to spare supporters from the daytime temperatures of more than 30Cs in east and south east England, as many are set to flock to pubs to watch the match.
