Panama are a better side than the one that lost 6-1 to England at the 2018 World Cup, and Thomas Christiansen’s team have shown enough in this tournament to demand respect. The Central American side remain a relatively unknown quantity, but their results have not painted a true picture of their performances. Against both Ghana and Croatia, there were periods where Panama looked the better team.
Without arguably their best player, Adalberto Carrasquilla, who is injured, Panama have struggled to convert their impressive play into goals. Christiansen, the former Leeds United manager, has deployed a flexible tactical approach across their opening two games, and understanding it will be key for England going into the fixture.
From opposition goal-kicks, Panama press aggressively in a 4-4-2 shape. When opponents find quality on the ball higher up the pitch, that high press drops into a mid-block and the shape shifts to a 5-3-2, with the priority being to make it hard for teams to play through them. As Croatia grew into their game against Panama, Christiansen’s side went even deeper — the 5-3-2 becoming a 5-4-1 with a lower defensive line for long stretches.
England will relish the prospect of facing a team that pushes up the pitch. Panama’s vulnerability on the counter was exposed against Ghana — in the 93rd minute, as they chased a winner, they lost the ball in the final third and pressed high. Ghana played quickly into their forwards and capitalised on the space that opened up, scoring the winner. Panama’s failure to win the ball back after a high counter-press proved fatal.
Against Croatia, it was clear Thomas Tuchel’s game model was similarly built around teasing opponents out of a stubborn defensive shape — a blueprint England may look to follow. If Panama press, England have the tools to punish them. If Panama sit deep, Tuchel’s side will look to draw them out and find the space in behind.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
