Alan Shearer Exclusive: England and Tuchel have point to prove against Panama

England must improve to win World Cup

I don't know why England struggle so much in the second game of major tournaments, it's one of those crazy things that you look back on and think: 'How does it happen?'

I remember scoring and winning the first game at France '98. We were full of confidence and belief. England will have felt exactly the same after beating Croatia, so I expected us to play with great belief and confidence, tempo and pace, against Ghana. But there was no edge, everything was safe, sideways or backwards.  

There weren't enough players going past their opponent one v one and whipping balls in. When we did put crosses in, they were very poor. There is plenty to work on.

Tuchel at fault with selection and subs

There were one or two surprise decisions in the team Tuchel put out. Djed Spence was one at left-back. I understand that Tuchel wanted to stop Ghana's counter-attack with Spence's pace, but in bringing him in we lost something on the left-hand side going forward. We did more in the 10-15 minutes when Nico O'Reilly was on than we did in the rest of the game down the left.

I was also surprised by how late Tuchel brought on Marcus Rashford. I expected him to be one of the first to come on. He brought Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers on, switching Noni Madueke to the left, but Rashford was really late in coming on as well. I thought Tuchel would have made substitutions a little bit quicker.  

No need for England to panic

There is plenty of improvement to be made if England are going to win the World Cup. But I don't think there's any need to panic. After a result like that, you go back, analyse what you've done right and wrong, although there weren't many right things on Tuesday.  

But there's no need to panic, it's not a disaster. Our objective was to win the group, and we'll still probably do that. 

Expect England changes against Panama

England players have points to prove and Panama's approach to playing them will probably be very similar to Ghana's. My guess is Tuchel will change three or four from the 11 who started on Tuesday.  

Tuchel will look back and question everything that went on in that second game. As I said, I was surprised he picked Spence. It was slightly negative to try to stop Ghana's counter-attack rather than concentrating on what England can do. Tuchel will reflect on that decision.

As for the other changes, I get the decision to bring in Marc Guehi for John Stones, but apart from that I thought Tuchel might have gone the same as against Croatia because it was such a positive performance.

I don't see him sticking with the same 11 on Saturday. It wouldn't surprise me if he brought Stones back in for Konsa so he and Guehi can play together. He could also bring back O'Reilly at left-back and change the two wingers from Gordon and Madueke to Saka and Rashford. 

They've got to play with more tempo and pace to their game. I don't care who you're playing against, if they get that many men behind the ball and they're organised, it's tough to break down. But you have to be brave, put balls into the box and take your opportunities. Too many times England were really poor in that situation against Ghana.  

Harry Kane's miss showed he's human

If you wanted the ball to drop to anyone in world football, then it would be Harry with that chance at the end of the Ghana game. Unfortunately, he proved he's human and he missed a big opportunity. It's not his first and won't be his last, that's the life of a centre-forward but 99 times out of 100 that goes in the back of the net.  

If it had gone in, then all of a sudden, we would be sayomg we didn't play well but we won the game. Those are the chance you have to snap up. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. It's a very rare thing but he is human. 

Alan Shearer's Panama v England prediction

We'll see a more energetic performance from England on Saturday and I think we'll beat Panama 2-0 or 3-0.  

I predict Harry Kane will get back on the scoresheet because he'll be desperate to play after that miss. He'll want to get out there. It's so unlike him to miss a good chance, and he'll want to put it right, so don't be surprised if he notches a couple against Panama.

Notable winners on Betting.Betfair so far at the 2026 World Cup...

- Mark Stinchcombe's stunning 38/139.00 Bet Builder in South Korea v Czechia
- Paul Higham's 9/25.50 Bet Builder in Mexico's MD1 defeat of South Africa
- Paul also tipped 13/53.60 (Canada v Bosnia) & 15/82.88 (Brazil v Morocco) draws
- A 6/17.00 winning ACCA for Mark on Sunday at the World Cup
- Andy Robson's 9/110.00 five-leg ACCA as Germany wallop Curacao
- A 13/53.60 winner for Paul as France beat Senegal with both teams scoring
- Paul's at it again, an 11/43.75 winning Best Bet in Switzerland v Bosnia
- An 11/26.50 winner for Jimmy The Punt as Jonathan David scores 2+ goals
- Paul's 2/13.00 headline tip in Germany v Ivory Coast was a winner
- Jack Critchley delivered a 5/16.00 goalscorer treble on day 13

Now read World Cup Permutations: What happens next for England and Scotland?