ENGLAND began their World Cup campaign with a bang last week, beating Croatia 4-2 to put themselves in control of Group L.
All the talk and questions around the squad were answered as Thomas Tuchel’s side produced an attacking display full of intent and purpose.
The question is, can they keep the momentum up?
They face Ghana tonight in Boston, a climate much more akin to a rainy Tuesday night in England than the sweltering conditions of Dallas last week.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to draft in Marc Guehi and Djed Spence into his starting XI against Ghana.
The duo were on the bench for England’s opener against Croatia but are set to start in Boston.
There have been questions over whether John Stones would be able to consistently start matches while Djed Spence had a big impact when he came on against Croatia.
Spence is set to play in place of Nico O’Reilly and Guehi for John Stones.
The rest of the team is unchanged from Croatia.
If England beat Ghana tonight they will book their place in the last-32. But if Panama also lose or draw to Croatia then England will be confirmed group winners.
Born in London, Antoine Semenyo could have played for England. As a youngster, the interest in him was not there. So instead he is representing Ghana.
He’s one of a number of players for whom that is the case – Erling Haaland, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala could all have played for the Three Lions.
Semenyo could have just as easily represented England. But being at the World Cup marks a remarkable rise for the Manchester City winger.
Semenyo’s journey to the top has been a complicated one. The failed academy trials, the 5am starts to play non-league football, the thoughts of quitting the sport altogether.
But, now aged 26, it has all led to this.
A humble, determined man, his rise is rooted in his resilience and the belief of a select few people who saw something in a down-and-out kid searching for his big break.
Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago scored more Premier League goals than Antoine Semenyo’s 17 last season.
However his stellar season, which began at Bournemouth and finished with him having won two trophies within the first 27 games of his Man City career, is at odds with his output for Ghana.
He’s scored just three times in 35 caps and just once in his last 28 appearances for the Black Stars.
In their opening match against Panama he managed just two shots against and his 36 touches were the fewest of any Ghana player who played the full 90; stats that would be inconceivable in the sky blue of Manchester City.
Semenyo says Ghana’s squad is a special group of players and that they possess hidden gems who will be known by the end of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
ANALYSIS:
England’s defence was the obvious weak spot amid a thrilling attacking performance when they opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas.
And this is where head coach Thomas Tuchel has made changes today, with Marc Guehi coming in for John Stones and Djed Spence for Nico O’Reilly.
Spence did well after coming on as a substitute late against Croatia and gets his chance to stake a claim, while Guehi was unfortunate to be left out as Tuchel paired Stones and Ezri Konsa in the first match.
This is likely to be a case of Tuchel managing Stones’ minutes after he only started five Premier League games at Manchester City last season.
It still represents a big chance for Guehi and Spence.
After making such a fast start, of course Harry Kane will be thinking about another World Cup Golden Boot already – any striker in his shoes would be.
Along with France’s Mbappe and Colombia’s James Rodriguez, he is one of only three players at this tournament to have a special patch on his sleeve, showing he has won one previously.
I know the mentality of a goalscorer, and there is no doubt that Kane will be absolutely desperate to be the first player to win it for a second time. So will Mbappe though, and of course Messi and Haaland will have an eye on the prize too.
Those three are all great goalscorers, but while they are all very different types of players, what they have in common is that their teams are set up to get the best out of them, just as England are now with Kane.
So, the race is on. It’s far too early to try and call it, but I am just delighted Kane is in the mix – if we are going to go far at this World Cup we will need him at his best.
I suppose the big question tonight remains whether or not Bukayo Saka is fit.
The winger came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Noni Madueke against Croatia last week as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.
He did not train with the rest of the squad on Saturday but did take part in their penultimate session on Sunday.
Ghana are not to be underestimated. We have seen plenty examples already at this tournament, Cape Verde, Curacao, to not even think of being complacent.
Ghana make four changes from their 1-0 win over Panama in their World Cup opener. Thomas Partey starts after being denied entry to Canada, with Kwasi Sibo, Inaki Williams and goalkeeper Benjamin Asare also starting.
What Ghana are doing won’t be a surprise to England, getting everyone behind the ball. It is very difficult. You’ve got to pick the pass at the right time and do it with pace.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: England’s attacking form after the 4–2 win over Croatia suggests they are capable of overwhelming teams that sit deep, and Ghana’s expected low block will suit Gareth Tuchel’s system built around Harry Kane.
With Marc Guehi coming in to stabilise the defence and Djed Spence adding pace on the flank, England look more balanced than in their opening match where defensive gaps were exposed. Tuchel’s adjustment—particularly managing John Stones’ minutes—should improve defensive structure while keeping attacking fluidity intact.
Ghana’s approach of “getting everyone behind the ball” will make space at a premium, but England’s ability to “pick the pass at the right time and do it with pace” should eventually open them up. Kane, already chasing another Golden Boot alongside Mbappe and Haaland, remains the focal point of England’s system and is highly likely to convert chances once Ghana’s resistance fades.
A late Ghana goal from transition is possible, but England’s superior depth and attacking rhythm make a 3–1 win the most realistic outcome.
My Prediction: England 3-1 Ghana
Peter’s Prediction: Ghana’s defensive organisation makes them capable of frustrating England, especially if England struggle to convert early dominance into goals.
England’s attacking talent—Kane, Saka (if fit), and supporting midfield runners—is designed to break compact teams, but Ghana’s deep structure, similar to what England faced in phases against Croatia, could slow their rhythm and force sideways circulation.
Thomas Partey’s return strengthens Ghana’s midfield control, while Inaki Williams provides a counter-attacking outlet that can exploit any overcommitment from England’s full-backs. England’s defensive reshuffle with Guehi and Spence improves stability but may still be tested in transition moments.
England will likely dominate possession, but Ghana’s resilience and ability to “get everyone behind the ball” could earn them a valuable draw, possibly via a set piece or counter-attack.
My Prediction: England 1-1 Ghana
Gbenga’s Prediction: This prediction leans on England tightening their defensive weaknesses while maintaining attacking efficiency.
After conceding two against Croatia despite scoring four, Tuchel’s introduction of Guehi signals a more disciplined back line. His pairing alongside Ezri Konsa adds stability, while Spence’s energy on the flank offers balance in both attack and recovery phases.
Ghana’s structure compact, defensive, and reliant on counter-attacks through Inaki Williams and Thomas Partey may limit England’s scoring rate. However, England’s superior positional play and Kane’s movement between the lines should still create clear chances.
Bukayo Saka’s fitness remains a key factor; even if limited, his presence adds unpredictability on the right. England’s control of possession and Ghana’s limited attacking threat could produce a professional, low-risk win.
My Prediction: England 2-0 Ghana
Gloria’s Prediction: While England remain favourites on paper, Ghana’s tactical discipline and unpredictability make an upset possible, especially if England’s defensive issues resurface.
England’s 4–2 win over Croatia highlighted vulnerabilities despite attacking brilliance. If Guehi and Spence are still adjusting to Tuchel’s system, Ghana could exploit transitional spaces with direct attacking play.
Ghana’s changes—introducing Partey, Inaki Williams, and a more solid defensive setup—suggest a team capable of absorbing pressure and striking efficiently. With England expected to push high, Ghana’s counter-attacking threat becomes dangerous, particularly through Williams’ pace.
If England fail to convert chances early and leave spaces behind, Ghana could replicate tournament surprises seen from underdogs like Cape Verde and Curacao. A single decisive moment could deliver a narrow 1–0 shock win for Ghana.
My Prediction: England 0-1 Ghana
PREVIOUS MATCHES RECAP
Match Recap: Portugal 5–0 Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups as his double helped Portugal thrash Uzbekistan.
The 41-year-old made history when he opened the scoring in the sixth minute, sweeping in a low half-volley at the near post from Joao Cancelo’s cross from the right.
Ronaldo’s strike also meant he became the second oldest man to score at a World Cup, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 when he found the net against Russia in 1994.
Portugal were criticised following a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening game of the tournament, but they stepped up in style against the World Cup debutants.
They doubled their lead in the 17th minute in Houston with Nuno Mendes scoring directly with a low free-kick from 20 yards out.
Uzbekistan thought they had a wonderful reply as Aziz G’aniev spectacularly shot into the net, but the effort was ruled out because Abbosbek Fayzullaev had fouled Cancelo.
Ronaldo got his second and Portugal’s third in the 39th minute when Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes gained possession in the centre circle and slid a pass through to him, with the Portugal captain slipping a precise finish into the bottom corner.
Goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov scored an own goal when Uzbekistan failed to deal with a corner, with the ball bouncing off him last for Portugal’s fourth, before substitute Rafael Leao smashed in a late fifth to seal the rout.
The three points took Portugal top of Group K, although Colombia will move above them if they beat DR Congo later on Wednesday (03:00 BST), while Uzbekistan remain without a point after two games.
On Monday, Argentina’s Lionel Messi became the top scorer in World Cup history with a double against Austria to take his total to 18. However, Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has only scored at five of the six tournaments he has played in, failing to register in 2010.
Ronaldo has now struck 10 times, having scored once at the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022 finals and four times in 2018, including a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain.