FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (FN) — England will aim to secure a place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Tuesday when they face Ghana, while Portugal look to revive their campaign after a disappointing opening draw.
The Three Lions opened with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, a performance that lifted confidence in their bid for a first major championship in six decades. Captain Harry Kane scored twice, with Jude Bellingham also on target, underscoring England’s attacking strength.
Midfielder Declan Rice said the challenge will be to replicate the team’s second-half display against Croatia. “That performance was probably the benchmark for us,” Rice said. “If we can start at that level, we can beat any opponent in the world.”
Manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the pressure of a World Cup campaign but said his squad is embracing it. “We have so many winners and experienced players who can cope with the pressure,” Tuchel said.
Ghana, who defeated Panama 1-0 in their opener, can also qualify with a win. Their attack is led by Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo, a London-born forward who poses a major threat to England’s defense.
Elsewhere, Portugal face Uzbekistan in Houston after a turbulent start. Cristiano Ronaldo’s subdued performance in a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo has reignited debate about his role.
Coach Roberto Martinez defended the 41-year-old captain, calling him “a role model for our team,” but declined to confirm whether Ronaldo will start. Portugal, considered one of the tournament favorites, will be under pressure to deliver a stronger showing.
The matches come a day after Argentina and France advanced to the last 32, underscoring the stakes for other top contenders. England and Portugal’s performances will be closely watched as the tournament’s knockout picture begins to take shape.
