Although they fell to a heavy defeat against England in 2018, the current Panama squad is a more sophisticated unit. With England aiming to secure the top spot in their group on Saturday, they face an opponent whose tournament results do not fully reflect their true capability. While they have struggled to convert chances into goals—partly due to the absence of key player Adalberto Carrasquilla—Panama has looked impressive in spells against both Ghana and Croatia.
Led by former Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen, Panama utilizes a flexible tactical approach. They typically initiate play with a 4-4-2 press but shift into a more defensive 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 mid-block when facing high-quality opposition. England will likely look to exploit the space on the wings, as Panama’s 5-4-1 setup may struggle to cover the full width of the pitch. By utilizing wide players and encouraging overlapping runs from full-backs, Thomas Tuchel’s side can mirror the successful strategies used by Croatia.
Furthermore, because Panama’s defensive line sits slightly higher than that of Ghana, England may find success playing long balls over the top. While Panama possesses technical quality in possession, particularly through midfielder Cristian Martinez, their main threat comes from quick wing play and crosses. As Panama has already been eliminated from tournament contention, their motivation levels remain a significant variable heading into this match.
