BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

England will look to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds when they take on Ghana in a Group-stage clash that could also see captain Harry Kane write another chapter in the nation’s football history.

Kane enters the match level with Gary Lineker as England’s highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history, with 10 goals apiece. A goal against Ghana would see the Bayern Munich striker become England’s outright leading marksman on football’s biggest stage.

The Three Lions will, however, face a Ghanaian side that has developed a reputation for attacking football at the World Cup. The Black Stars have scored in eight of their last nine matches in the competition and will be confident of troubling England’s defence.

With both sides chasing valuable points, the encounter promises an intriguing battle between England’s experience and Ghana’s flair and resilience.

For Kane, the match presents an opportunity to add another record to a glittering international career. For Ghana, it offers the chance to claim a statement victory against one of the tournament favourites.

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One person died, and eight others were injured ​after a stampede during a ‌crowded gathering of fans in central Amman to watch Jordan’s World Cup match ​against Algeria early on Tuesday, Jordan ​News Agency reported, citing the country’s ⁠Public Security Directorate (PSD).

The incident occurred ​at Hashemite Square, where large numbers ​of fans had gathered in the capital to watch Jordan’s 2-1 defeat to Algeria, according ​to the Jordan News Agency.

Emergency ​teams transported nine injured people to the hospital after ‌heavy ⁠congestion and crowd movement at the venue led to the crush. One of those injured later died, while ​the others ​sustained ⁠minor to moderate injuries, it reported citing the PSD.

Experts ​were investigating to determine the ​exact ⁠cause of death, it added.

Large crowds of spectators had gathered across the capital ⁠to ​follow the match, ​with Jordan competing in their first World Cup.

-Reuters

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Algeria breathed new life into their FIFA World Cup campaign on Monday after coming from behind to defeat Jordan 2-1 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, a result that eliminated their fellow Arab opponents and kept the Desert Foxes firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage.

Still hurting from their opening 3-0 defeat to defending champions Argentina, Algeria showed resilience and determination to overturn a first-half deficit with two second-half goals and claim their first points of the tournament.

Jordan stunned the North Africans when Nizar Al-Rashdan capitalised on a defensive lapse to put his side ahead before the interval, leaving Algeria facing the prospect of an early exit from the competition.

But Vladimir Petkovic’s men responded strongly after the break, dominating proceedings and eventually finding the goals needed to secure a crucial victory.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Petkovic praised his team’s response and insisted the result was a fair reflection of their performance.

“I think ultimately we’ve produced two good performances. We deserve to win this game, and it certainly gives us a lot of confidence and belief ahead of our next match,” the Algeria coach said.

Petkovic admitted his side had paid the price for a defensive mistake in the opening half but commended Jordan for the challenge they posed.

“Jordan are a solid, combative side and deserved their place at the World Cup,” he added.

The victory leaves Algeria level on three points with Austria in Group J, three points behind leaders Argentina, who have already secured qualification for the Round of 32.

With one group match remaining, the Desert Foxes have put themselves back in the race for a knockout berth and now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny.

“What mattered for us was to win this match, to stay in the hunt, to make it through to the knockout stage, and ultimately to have our fate in our own hands,” Petkovic said.

“Nothing has yet been decided, but we’re in a good position.”

The win has restored confidence within the Algerian camp and sets up a decisive final group encounter as the North Africans seek to extend their stay at the World Cup.