By Zobia Zulfqar 
England know exactly what they need to do on Tuesday. Beat Ghana, and they are through to the knockout rounds. It is that simple, and that is exactly the kind of clarity a squad chasing a first major trophy in 60 years needs right now.
Argentina and France both secured their spots in the last 32 on Monday, adding more pressure on the remaining big nations to follow suit. England are next in line, and they go into the Group L fixture against Ghana with genuine confidence after a strong opening performance.
Their tournament began last week with a 4-2 victory over Croatia. Not a scrappy win. A stylish one. The kind of result that makes people sit up and take notice. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham got on the scoresheet, and for long stretches of that second half, England looked like a team capable of going very deep in this competition.
Declan Rice, speaking on Monday, said the second-half display against Croatia has set the standard for what this squad expects of itself going forward. He was honest about it. Getting to that level from the first minute against Ghana is the real test now.
“We know as players the level, we know what is required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level,” Rice said.
That is the challenge Thomas Tuchel will be drilling into his players in training this week. It is one thing to find top gear after a slow start against Croatia. It is another to come out of the tunnel already at that intensity. Ghana will not be sitting back and watching England settle in. They have their own reasons to go for this game.
Ghana’s situation is more urgent. A loss here could effectively end their tournament ambitions, so they will be organised, physical and looking to hit England on the counter. The Black Stars have the quality to hurt any side that gives them space, and they know an upset here would be one of the stories of the entire tournament.
Portugal are also on the schedule today, looking to get their campaign moving after a poor opening draw. Their Group situation means they need a result fast, and the pressure on a squad full of expensive talent to actually perform is building by the day. But England’s game carries its own weight for different reasons.
This is not just about qualification. It is about sending a message. England came into this World Cup with real hope, not the cautious kind that gets walked back after one bad result, but genuine belief that this squad has what it takes to go all the way. A convincing win over Ghana keeps that narrative alive and builds momentum heading into the final group stage fixture.
Kane looks sharp. Bellingham looks hungry. The back line held reasonably well against Croatia once they found their shape. The pieces are there. The question now is execution from the start rather than catching fire only after the break.
Tuesday night is a chance for England to put a stamp on Group L and enter the knockout rounds with real energy behind them. Ghana will make it hard. They always do. But if England bring that second-half Croatia performance from the first whistle, this should be a night to remember for the Three Lions.
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