By Dwayne Ferreira.
Jude Bellingham scores and assists Harry Kane as England beat Panama 2-0, top Group L and set up a round-of-32 clash with DR Congo.
Jude Bellingham lifted England through a frustrating afternoon and into first place in Group L, scoring one goal and creating another as the Three Lions beat Panama 2-0.
England entered the match needing victory to guarantee top spot after beating Croatia and drawing with Ghana. Panama had lost both previous games and were already struggling to avoid finishing the group without a point or a goal.
Thomas Tuchel made five changes, with Reece James absent through injury and Declan Rice rested. England controlled possession from the start but found Panama difficult to break down. Marcus Rashford had an early chance from the edge of the box, forcing Orlando Mosquera into a good save.
Panama were not passive. They defended in numbers but broke forward when possible, and Jordan Pickford had to save from José Rodríguez in the 26th minute. The first half ended goalless, increasing tension among England supporters in the rain at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
The breakthrough finally came in the 62nd minute. Bukayo Saka’s corner dropped into a crowded penalty area, where Bellingham wrestled free despite being held and stabbed a left-footed finish beyond Mosquera. It was the kind of determined intervention England had lacked for an hour.
Five minutes later, Bellingham became the provider. He took charge on the left and clipped a cross into the area, where Harry Kane rose above his marker to head home. The goal was Kane’s 11th at World Cups, taking him past Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading men’s World Cup scorer.
The second goal transformed the mood. England still were not perfect, but the anxiety disappeared and Tuchel’s side managed the closing stages with far greater composure. Jordan Henderson came on late to become the first England player to appear in four World Cups.
Panama finished bottom of the group without a point, but they competed honestly and made England work for the victory. Mosquera’s saves and their counterattacking threat prevented the match from becoming a procession.
England finished on seven points and will face DR Congo in Atlanta in the round of 32. The performance was not always fluent, but Bellingham’s authority and Kane’s record-breaking finish gave England exactly what they needed before the tournament turns unforgiving.
MATCH SUMMARY
Panama – 0
England – 2
Jude Bellingham 62’
Harry Kane 67’
Result: England won 2-0
Player of the Match: Jude Bellingham
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group L
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
#England #Panama #JudeBellingham #HarryKane #ThreeLions #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #GroupL #EnglandFootball #TheMorningTelegraph
