England won their final group game 2-0 against Panama, and whilst the Three Lions secured victory, there are concerns about their defence.
England have finished top of Group L after Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored the two goals, and whilst there are few concerns about the Three Lions going forward, given their options in attack, there are concerns defensively.
Panama had their moments, opening up England's defence, and it could have been a frantic final few minutes of injury time had their goal not been ruled out for offside. It is a weak area that is a major concern for the Three Lions.
Defensively poor throughout the group stage
Knockout football is the ultimate test, because it is all about how you are in moments and fine margins. In all three of their group games, England have shown their defensive vulnerability.
In the game against Panama, they allowed them much of the ball and large amounts of possession, even opening their defence whenever Panama went on the counterattack. Thomas Tuchel's side was fortunate that many of their attempts went over the bar or wide.
They got away with one in injury time when Panama had a goal disallowed for offside, but even allowing it in the first place is concerning for England, given the defenders they have, such as Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, who constantly play against attacks at much higher intensity.
The better the team, the more punishment England will suffer
Thomas Tuchel says they will step it up in the knockout rounds. Well, if that is the case, then their defence needs to be better, because in whatever phase of knockout football they play, there will be harder tests to come, with no time between them.
If they play against a team such as France, Spain, Brazil, or even dark horses such as Morocco, and are quite high in their defensive shape, leaving themselves open, they will be punished, as those teams are more likely to take their chances against a wide-open defence.
Mounting injuries at full-back
You also have to question whether their gamble of not bringing another full-back will pay off: Jarell Quansah came off with an injury, giving England another player out injured, with Reece James and Tino Livramento also dealing with injury setbacks. Albeit Konsa can play right-back if needed, the same with Djed Spence, but even they were looking vulnerable at times in that final group game.
It isn't a crisis for England, but it's an area that definitely needs work; otherwise, teams will have a field day against the English defence and could unravel England's tournament altogether.
