Tuchel likely to field unchanged lineup after Croatia win
Thomas Tuchel is poised to name an unchanged England starting XI for their World Cup group match against Ghana in Boston, following an impressive second-half display against Croatia. The German coach was pleased with the performance after the break and may keep faith with the same eleven.
Bukayo Saka trained fully on Sunday, but Tuchel has hinted he may not start the Arsenal winger until the third game against Panama to manage an Achilles issue. Marcus Rashford complained of a hamstring problem after the Croatia match, making Anthony Gordon the likely starter on the left wing.
Defensive dilemma resolved
Marc Guehi has been pushing for a start in central defence, but Tuchel is expected to stick with the pairing of Ezri Konsa and John Stones, who played against Croatia. The only other potential change would be on the left flank, but Rashford's fitness concerns have settled that debate.
Regardless of the side he selects, Tuchel will be hoping for a more cohesive first-half display. England struggled defensively before the break against Croatia but produced one of their most impressive halves at a major tournament after half-time.
Tuchel's half-time message revealed
Revealing what he said to his players at half-time, the German coach said: "I said even if we lose, it will not change my perception of the last 17 days. But let's do it our way. We're too focused on the result, too focused on protecting what we anyway don't have at the moment. The second goal was just an example. I think we were a back seven and we didn't defend the goal. So why be a back seven anyway?"
He added: "If something happens, the result doesn't go our way, we want to play this match the way we want to and the way we were together for 17 days. I just tried to encourage them to go for it."
Group stage outlook
Following the Ghana match, England face Panama in New Jersey in their final group game. If they win the group, they will face a third-placed team from Groups E, H, I, J or K in Atlanta. Finishing as runners-up would set up a clash with the runners-up of Group K in Toronto.
England probable lineup: Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
