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Watkins Urges England to Top Group Amid Semenyo Threat

Ollie Watkins has called on England to secure top spot in their World Cup group with a game to spare, building on their impressive second-half display against Croatia. The Aston Villa striker acknowledges the threat posed by Ghana's Antoine Semenyo but says manager Thomas Tuchel is focused on England's own performance.

  • Ollie Watkins wants England to win every group game and top Group L.
  • England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening World Cup fixture.
  • A win against Ghana would guarantee England's progression to the knockout stages.
  • Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo is identified as a key threat for Ghana.
  • Manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly focused on England's tactical approach.

A blast of confidence from Ollie Watkins as he urged England to take top spot in Group L - and by extension, the World Cup knockout rounds - with maximum points. The Aston Villa striker knows a thing or two about taking the bull by the horns, having helped his club secure a crucial win against Tottenham earlier this season.

England's 4-2 triumph over Croatia last Wednesday was a thrilling spectacle, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford sealing the deal in a dominant second-half display. It's fair to say that Gareth Southgate's men are firmly in the driving seat now, with only one point required from their next two games to guarantee progression.

Watkins is backing his team-mates to take all three points against Ghana on Tuesday, saying, "I think every game you play, you want to win. We're preparing now for the game at hand, doing all we can to win. We want to top the group - we want to win every game and progress through the next round." It's a sentiment echoed by his team-mates, who know that topping the group would be a significant advantage in the business end of the tournament.

But Watkins isn't underestimating the Black Stars either. Despite their 65th ranking in the world, Ghana have already sprung a few surprises this tournament - and Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo is a player who could cause problems for England's backline. However, as Watkins revealed, manager Gareth Southgate is more focused on his team's own performance than worrying about opponents' threats.

With victory against Ghana and Panama failing to beat Croatia in the other Group L fixture, England would seal top spot - making their final group match a 'dead rubber'. It's a scenario that could see Tuchel giving some of his stars a well-earned rest ahead of the knockout stages. That's a significant advantage in this demanding tournament schedule.

Why this matters: This article highlights England's strong start to the World Cup and their ambition to go deep into the tournament, which will be a major point of interest for football fans across the UK.

What this means for you: What this means for you: As a UK football fan, this story provides an update on England's World Cup campaign and their prospects for progressing in the tournament, offering insight into player and manager perspectives.

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