England’s victory over Croatia changed the shape of Group L, and Tuesday’s match against Ghana now gives Thomas Tuchel’s side a chance to take control of the section with one game left. Ghana arrive at Gillette Stadium ranked 73rd, while England know the equation is simple: beat Ghana and hope Croatia beat Panama if top spot is to be secured.
That is why this fixture is drawing attention now. England won its opener after Harry Kane scored twice in the first half, Croatia hit back with two goals, and England then found another after the break to take the points. The result kept England on track in a wide-open World Cup and made the next match more than a routine group game.
The projected lineup reflects that balance between control and caution. Jordan Pickford, England’s long-time No. 1, is expected to be in goal, with Reece James at right back and John Stones set for his 14th World Cup appearance. Ezri Konsa is preferred alongside Stones, while Nico O’Reilly is projected to start at left back after Tuchel replaced Tino Livramento with Trevoh Chalobah. Djed Spence is the only other natural right back on the roster, which helps explain why the shape around the back line has been settled through necessity as much as preference.
Still, the cleanest path is not fully in England’s hands. Tuchel can do everything asked of him on Tuesday and still need Croatia to beat Panama to finish first in Group L. That is the small catch inside an otherwise favorable position: England can control its own result against Ghana, but it cannot control the other half of the table.
So the match at Gillette Stadium carries more than the weight of a second group-stage outing. It is the point where England can turn a strong start into a stronger bracket position, provided the rest of the group falls its way. If that does happen, Tuesday will be remembered not as a test England merely passed, but as the night it took command of Group L.
