Panama face Croatia in must-win Group L clash

Must-win in Toronto

It comes down to this. Panama face Croatia on Tuesday in Toronto, and both teams are on zero points after opening defeats (1) (4) (6). Lose, and the knockout rounds are almost certainly gone with England still to come.

Your team fell 0–1 to Ghana in the opener, conceding early and failing to score until stoppage time (2) (3). Croatia shipped four against England in a 4–2 loss, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham running the show (2) (3).

Croatia are favorites. CBS Sports notes their technical midfield as the clear edge (4). But they are also wounded, and Panama have nothing to lose.

England can seal it tonight

If England beat Ghana, they go through and the group's second spot opens up for whoever takes points in Toronto (2) (3) (5). England face Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Boston (3).

What changes for Panama

Thomas Christiansen has to reshape his side without one of his key players, who remains unavailable. The Ghana match showed a team that struggled to impose itself. That has to change. A first World Cup point, or better, is the only acceptable outcome now.