LOS ANGELES (United States) — England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday.
A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England faces Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament.
England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years.
With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel’s squad should be a match for any team in the tournament.
Rice said the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia.
“We know as players the level, we know what’s required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level,” Rice said.
“We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.
“We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch.”
England’s German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign.
“There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure. I hope we can cope with it, accept it and turn it around,” Tuchel said according to AFP.
“I heard also a lot about it and I feel of course the excitement and the pressure, but I feel that we have so many winners and so many players who are experienced to cope with the pressure.”
England though will be wary of the threat posed by Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, the London-born Manchester City winger who is the focal point of the Black Stars attack.
Ghana, 1-0 winners over Panama in their opener last week, can also qualify for the knockout rounds on Tuesday with a victory at Foxborough, just outside Boston.
