Second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane saw England beat Panama to top Group L at 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bellingham fired England in front on the volley from Bukayo Saka’s 62nd-minute corner, before Kane nodded in from Marcus Rashford’s cross just five minutes later to settle a tightly-fought contest at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, and topped Group L after Croatia beat Ghana 2-1.
England now will face a third-placed team in the Round of 32 on Wednesday 1 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, at 12pm EDT (5pm BST), whilst Panama have been eliminated.
Knowing that victory would see them advance as Group L winners, England were given a scare as Tomas Rodriguez forced a block from Jordan Pickford barely 20 seconds into the match.
Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions soon settled into a dominant period of possession as Marcus Rashford forced Orlando Mosquera to punch his eighth-minute low near-left corner shot behind.
Elliot Anderson then fired wide from long range in the 22nd minute, but Jose Luis Rodriguez and Carlos Harvey highlighted Panama’s threat with two shots, which Pickford prevented from finding the net.
Once England regained possession, Anderson and Rashford were again their main threats as the former saw a shot saved by Orlando Mosquera, whilst Rashford headed over the bar much to the Three Lions’ frustrations in a goalless first half.
Croatia meanwhile found themselves top of the group at the break after Petar Sucic’s 30-yard strike put them in front against Ghana in Philadelphia.
England though almost put themselves back top seven minutes into the second half after Rashford’s cross to Kane was blocked by Jose Cordoba, yet the Panama defender’s clearance almost deflected into his own net by teammate – Andres Andrade.
Jose Luis Rodriguez almost gave England a 56th-minute scare with a curled shot which luckily flew over the top-right corner to the Three Lions’ relief, yet Kane a minute later saw a shot punched away by Mosquera.
England eventually found their breakthrough opener from a 62nd-minute corner which Bellingham flicked in on the volley from close range to lift the tension, having met Saka’s low corner-kick.
Kane five minutes further elevated the renewed belief as he rose highest to nod a cross from Rashford into the net to put England in control with a two-goal lead, whilst he became their all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with his 11th goal in the competition across three editions.
Panama though refused to give up as Ismael Diaz put a header and shot wide, whilst Amir Murillo and Harvey too saw shots denied and Jose Fajardo saw an injury-time effort disallowed for offside.
England eventually saw out their victory and will now await a third-placed team in Atlanta on 1 July.
Teams
Panama: Orlando Mosquera, Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Jose Cordoba, Andres Andrade, Jorge Gutierrez (Davis 88′), Cristian Martinez, Yoel Barcenas (Diaz 71′), Carlos Harvey (Quintero 88′), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Londono 71′), Tomas Rodriguez (Fajardo 46′)
Substitutes: Cesar Blackman, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Eric Davis, Ismael Diaz, Jose Fajardo, Edgardo Farina, Anibal Godoy, Azarias Londono, Luis Mejia, Roderick Miller, Alberto Quintero, Jiovany Ramos, Cesar Samudio, Cecilio Waterman, Cesar Yanis
England: Jordan Pickford, Jarell Quansah (Spence 63′), Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson (Henderson 84′), Jude Bellingham (Eze 71′), Bukayo Saka (Madueke 63′), Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane (Watkins 84′)
Substitutes: Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Dean Henderson, Noni Madueke, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Djed Spence, John Stones, Ivan Toney, James Trafford, Ollie Watkins
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