England look to avoid upset against Group G rival Panama

by Helder Ribiero

Saturday Jun 23, 2018. 09:30

England will take on Panama in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup Group G match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 14h00 CAT.

The Three Lions recorded a 2-1 win over Tunisia in their opening match which was played on Monday.

The victory took England to second place on the Group G standings with three points from one game. They are only behind leaders Belgium on goal difference.

England captain and striker Harry Kane grabbed a brace against Panama and he will look to inspire his nation to their second win.

Midfielder Eric Dier, who featured for the Three Lions in Monday's game, says they know what to expect from Panama.

“Every team is difficult at the World Cup – there’s no such thing as an easy game – and I think that’s been proven by other results we’ve seen so far," Dier said.

“I watched the first half of Belgium v Panama and Belgium, who are a fantastic side, struggled in the first half. Only in the second did they turn things around.

"If anything, Panama were the better team in the first-half and we know we have got to prepare as best we can for that.”

Meanwhile, Panama were thrashed 3-0 by Belgium in their first game at the global tournament which was play on Monday.

The defeat left the Canal Men placed fourth on the Group G standings without a single points. They are three points behind leaders Belgium.

Panama defender Harold Cummings is confident that they can cause an upset by defeating the 1966 World Cup winners England.

“We are going there to play hard. We are going there to compete. We will do our job against any team we face," Cummings said.

“England have players that are competing at a really high level, and I think that is an advantage they have over us.

“It is going to be man versus man and we are not going to look at the names on the back of the England jerseys.”

In head-to-head stats according to FIFA.com, England and Panama have never met in each other.

Egyptian referee Gehad Grisha will be in charge of Sunday's vlash between England and Panama.