Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

England are a side that will relish the prospect of playing a team that push up the pitch - if Panama do try to press.

It was in the 93rd minute that Panama conceded against Ghana as they chased a winner.

When they lost the ball in the final third, Panama pressed high but Ghana played into their forwards quickly and they capitalised on the space that opened up.

Against Croatia - and in the qualifying games - it was clear Thomas Tuchel's game model was similarly built upon teasing opponents out of a stubborn defensive shape.

Against Ghana, England suffered because Carlos Queiroz's men offered an alternative blueprint that took away Tuchel's preferred conditions, instead sitting deep without applying forward pressure.

This kept Ghana compact between attack and defence.

It will be interesting to see if Panama adopt some of the tactics Ghana used so effectively.

They will, naturally, want to win, but as Panama are already eliminated and without an incentive, how motivated they will be and how many changes the coach, former Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen, makes to his side will be factors in terms of their performance.

• Click here for Umir's full scouting report on Panama.

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

Panama are a relatively unknown quantity, but they are an exciting team whose results do not paint a true picture of their performances in the tournament.

In their 1-0 defeats to Ghana and Croatia, there were periods of each game when the Central American side looked the better team.

But with arguably their best player Adalberto Carrasquilla injured, they have struggled to turn their impressive play into goals.

When Panama find themselves on the ball, they showcase strong technical quality to play out of the opposition's immediate pressure. Midfielder Cristian Martinez stands out in this regard.

One of England's biggest strengths this World Cup, however, has come from their counter-pressing - with even their biggest stars buying into working hard, crowding around the ball and winning it back immediately after losing it.

But if Panama can find short and quick combinations before they speed up play - either down the same wing or to the far-side winger with a switch - they could be dangerous.

Their fast attacks generally conclude in crosses rather than central through-balls.

England may have enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 victory over Panama the last time they met in the World Cup group stages in 2018, but the Central American side's latest squad looks to be made of sterner stuff.

Yes, they have been eliminated from the World Cup after opening their Group L campaign with two defeats - but both Ghana and Croatia struggled to break down the world's 42nd-ranked side and only ran out 1-0 winners.

The Three Lions may well present a different level of attacking challenge for Panama, but BBC Sport's tactics correspondent Umir Irfan has been examining their strengths and believes England do have cause to be wary...

That huge 6-1 win may be a historic one for England, but the Panama of 2018 is different to that of 2026.

Thomas Christiansen's side sit 42nd in the world rankings, above the likes of Cameroon, Slovakia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Image source, Getty Images

There are five England players still in the squad from the last time these met.

Goalscorers Kane and Stones started, as did goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and midfielder Jordan Henderson. Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute.

Time's up...

The other players on the score sheet for England that day were John Stones, who scored two, and Jesse Lingard.

Relive all the goals from that game in Nizhny Novgorod here.

The two nations have only met once before, but that was also in a World Cup group stage match in 2018.

England won the game 6-1 - their biggest ever win at a World Cup - which sent them through to the knockout stages.

England captain Harry Kane scored a hat-trick that day, but can you name the other scorers?

Image source, Getty Images

Ghana may have been a tough team to break down, but the Three Lions had no such issues when they faced Saturday's opponents, Panama, in the 2018 World Cup...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

In the first game against Croatia, England's runners out wide and through the centre offered a threat. With Ghana sitting back, the Three Lions needed a touch of individual magic - but could not find it.

Bukayo Saka offered hope in his cameo, underscoring a dilemma for Tuchel around his wide men and the need for change.

Barcelona's new buy Anthony Gordon was once again quiet. It was no surprise when he was replaced by Saka 25 minutes from time, and the Arsenal man at least forced Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare into a fine late save.

The early evidence suggests it will not be long before Saka, who is managing an Achilles injury, and Marcus Rashford take England's wide positions.

So England dominated possession but struggled to beat Ghana's stubborn defence.

What should Thomas Tuchel do if the Panama game plays out the same way?

After their thrilling second-half show in the 4-2 win over Croatia, a familiar tale of frustration unfolded against Ghana as Tuchel’s team couldn’t turn dominance into more goals.

Not until the 86th minute did Nico O’Reilly rattle the crossbar, before captain Harry Kane uncharacteristically skied the rebound.

England’s 19 shots were their most without scoring in any World Cup match for 24 years; meanwhile, Ghana’s two were the fewest the Three Lions have faced since such records began back in 1966.

England also had 78.9% possession, and that’s the highest recorded by any side that ultimately failed to find the net on record in World Cup history (also since 1966).

Image source, Opta

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Head coach Thomas Tuchel claimed England's thrilling opening World Cup win against Croatia would have excited "fans in pubs". The dismal follow-up against Ghana would have sobered them up instantly.

The manner in which England dismantled Croatia raised expectation and excitement levels, but this was a brutal reality check as Ghana's resilience, physicality and organisation built an insurmountable barrier.

England are leading Group L and set to qualify for the last 32 - and Declan Rice echoed the post-match mood of "no panic" in the camp when he told BBC Sport: "We still have a great chance to top the group against Panama, so positivity all round."

Not quite all round given the Three Lions' lack of creativity in the face of Ghana's durability - but Tuchel's side still remain in a healthy position.

If the victory against Croatia made watching England fun, this was back to the grindstone where they were forced to do the dirty work, but could not break through.

BBC Sport football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan breaks down the reasons why Thomas Tuchel's England were held to a 0-0 draw against Ghana.

In Thomas Tuchel's interview with Kelly Somers, the England manager was asked whether Ghana had set a blueprint for how to play against his side.

Tuchel brushed off this suggestion but it does leave fans wondering how the Three Lions may play against Panama.

BBC Sport's football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan has been delving into the details to see why Tuchel's team came up short against Ghana and were held to a 0-0 stalemate.

So that's who England can play in the last 32, but what about after that, if they win their first knockout game?

If England top their group and come through their last-32 tie, they would go on to play a last-16 tie at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which would be against co-hosts Mexico if they win their first knockout match.

That game is currently set to be played at 01:00 BST in the early hours of Monday, 6 July.

Following that, Miami will be the venue on Saturday, 11 July - with a more reasonable kick-off time at 22:00 BST - where they'll face one of Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast and Norway in the quarters.

Another win would see them potentially face defending champions Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday, 15 July, at 20:00 BST back in Atlanta.

If they win that and reach the final in New York on Sunday 19 July, it could be anyone from the other side of the draw, which includes Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, among others.

If they lose in the last four, it'll be back to Miami on Saturday, 18 July, for the Third Place game against the other beaten semi-finalist.

See the full knockout stage bracket as it stands here.

Spot on that Lee.

As we've been saying, England's progression was made official overnight thanks to results elsewhere, but who could they play next?

As it stands, they're set to play Senegal in the last 32, but it will be DR Congo for Thomas Tuchel's men in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST) if they finish third in Group K.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Well Guy, there’s a grid of 495 potential combinations of third-placed teams.

The specific eight groups that provide the qualifiers determine where the countries go.

So, for example, as the only combinations remaining for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sweden and Paraguay send them to one group we already know their fixtures.

Whatever tonight's result, England's place in the knockout stages of the World Cup has been confirmed before they face Panama in their final group game.

The Three Lions sit on four points after two games - meaning they are at least guaranteed one of the eight third-placed qualification spots.

Four other teams sit on four points - Sweden, Ecuador, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Paraguay - with four groups, including England's still to wrap up.

Uruguay's defeat by Spain on Saturday was the result that confirmed the Three Lions' place in the last 32.

Image source, Getty Images