England secured first place in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday after second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane earned Thomas Tuchel’s side a 2-0 victory over a resilient Panama at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The victory moves England into the Round of 32 as group winners with seven points. Meanwhile, a scoreless Panama exits the tournament at the bottom of the group after failing to secure a single point from their three opening matches.
Following a lifeless and uninspiring opening 45 minutes where Thomas Christiansen's side successfully frustrated the Three Lions, the deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute. Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham directed a close-range volley into the net from a Bukayo Saka corner kick to relieve rising anxieties.
Bellingham then turned provider just five minutes later, breaking past the Panamanian defence to deliver an inviting cross that Kane confidently headed home from close range.
The 67th-minute strike marked Kane's 11th career World Cup goal, officially moving him past Gary Lineker to become England's all-time top scorer in World Cup history. Panama nearly pulled a goal back in stoppage time through forward José Fajardo, but the assistant referee ruled the attempt offside.
Reflecting on the gruelling nature of the fixture, England captain Harry Kane praised his side's resilience in navigating a physical battle. "A solid performance again against a tricky side," Kane told ITV after the final whistle. "We got better in the second half. Overall, it was just a good win".
England manager Thomas Tuchel echoed those sentiments, shifting his focus toward the looming high-stakes knockout phase. "We did what was needed against a physical opponent," Tuchel remarked to ITV. "The tournament starts again now in the knockouts".