England are bidding to secure their place in the World Cup knockout rounds as they continue their campaign with a clash against Ghana in Boston.
A 4-2 win over Croatia represented an excellent start to England’s tournament, with Thomas Tuchel’s side in fine attacking touch and playing with a vibrancy that suggests real promise as they target World Cup glory. Tuchel made two changes to the starting XI with Djed Spence and Marc Guehi replacing John Stones and Nico-O’Reilly. Bukayo Saka continues to manage the achilles injury that has disrupted his training at this tournament and starts on the bench. England’s progression as table-toppers would be all but secure with victory here.
Ghana will pose a different threat to Croatia with Antoine Semenyo an obvious individual that Tuchel will be plotting to stop. The Manchester City forward has the capacity to challenge a backline that perhaps came out less in credit from England’s opener, while Thomas Partey is also set to feature – the Ghana midfielder missed their opening win over Panama having been denied entry to Canada while facing a rape charge.
Follow all of the latest ahead of the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
Kane to overtake Lineker?
Harry Kane has netted five goals across his five international appearances against African nations, with three coming at the World Cup, against Tunisia in 2018 (x2) and Senegal in 2022.
If he scores in this game, he would overtake Gary Lineker (10) to become Engand’s all-time top scorer in the competition.
Two in a row for England?
After winning their opener 4-2 against Croatia, England will be looking to win each of their opening two games at a World Cup for the fourth time, after completing the feat in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
Can they secure a place in the last-32 tonight?
Can Ghana reach the knockout rounds?
Ghana have only won two of their group stage matches at the World Cup once before, beating Czechia and USA in 2006.
They have failed to win any of their last four matches against European opposition in the competition, losing their last game 2-3 against Portugal in 2022.
Beating England tonight would also send Ghana into the knockout rounds with a game remaining in the groups.
Fifa quietly scrubbed logos off World Cup stadiums – so one brand turned the cover-up into a marketing campaign
There is a physical perimeter around every stadium at this World Cup and once you pass through, there are rules. Welcome to Fifa-Land. No large banners. No political imagery of any kind. No offensive symbols. No commercial material. No inflatables. No musical instruments taller than 12cm. No binoculars. No significant quantities of paper, which is left open to interpretation. No frisbees. No detonators, which is reassuring.
A rainy Boston awaits
It’s been raining for most of the day in Boston so conditions will be familiar to England.
The fans have been enjoying themselves nonetheless and are prepared for kick off in just over an hour’s time.
Will changes strengthen England?
England were rightly praised for their 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening game but any criticism they faced was aimed at their defence.
Both Croatia goals were thought to be too easily let in by the back line and that is were Tuchel has focused his changes.
Djed Spence, who impressed off the bench against Croatia, will play at left-back showing his versatility while Marc Guehi starts alongside Ezri Konsa.
Guehi and Konsa had played together for England so are a useful partnership but can they make England defensively stronger?
That will be an improvement Thomas Tuchel is watching out for tonight.
England team changes
Thomas Tuchel has made two changes to the England team that defeated Croatia in their previous outing.
Djed Spence comes in and will play at left-back ahead of Nico O’Reilly while Marc Guehi slots in at centre-back in place of John Stones.
Declan Rice is fit to start but Bukayo Saka begins the game on the bench once more.
Ghana team news vs England
Ghana XI: Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Partey; Sibo, Iñaki Williams, Semenyo; Jordan Ayew
Unlucky Boston?
This will be just the second time that England have played in Boston, USA across their history.
Their previous visit ended in a 2-0 friendly loss to the USA in June 1993 under Graham Taylor.
Will Thomas Tuchel’s side repeat that history later on or can they secure a win?
