Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored within five minutes of each other to give England a controlled 2-0 victory over Panama at a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium, sealing top spot in Group L at the 2026 World Cup with a game to spare.
It wasn’t the fluid display England fans were hoping for after a hard-fought goalless draw with Ghana, but Thomas Tuchel’s side showed enough quality when it mattered most to dispatch a resilient Panama side and head into the last 32 with real momentum.
The first half did not belong to either side in any meaningful sense.
England dominated possession, finishing with 67 per cent of the ball and made the most promising openings, but Orlando Mosquera equalized Marcus Rashford’s low drive and Kane’s ferocious effort from inside the box to keep the game level at the break.
Panama were also far from passive. Tomás RodrÃguez tested Jordan Pickford within seconds of the start with a controlled left-footed strike, and Los Canaleros were comfortable sitting in a disciplined 5-4-1, threatening on the counter whenever England’s form faltered.
Pickford made four saves during the ninety minutes.
The second half started with Panama continuing to press, but the game took a decisive turn in the 62nd minute.
Bukayo Saka took a corner from the left and Bellingham, struggling with his marker throughout, stuck out a leg to slot the ball left-footed into the bottom corner.
It was a top quality finish under physical pressure.
Five minutes later, England doubled their lead and the tie was over.
Bellingham collected a long ball from Rashford on the left flank, showed composure to control and look up, then flicked a delicate delivery to the head of Kane, who headed home from close range with the assurance of a man who had been doing just that his whole career.
Kane’s goal was loaded with historical significance. The header took his tally to 11 World Cup goals in total, surpassing Gary Lineker’s record of 10 to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup.
It was, fittingly, set up by the team-mate who has looked England’s most influential player at this tournament.
Bellingham’s involvement in both goals earned well-deserved recognition.
The Real Madrid midfielder became the youngest England player since 1966 to score and assist in a single World Cup game, underscoring his status as the team’s most decisive operator at just 22.
Tuchel began to manage the game in the final quarter of an hour, withdrawing Bellingham and Kane to protect them ahead of the knockout rounds. Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins came on, while Djed Spence replaced the yellow-carded Jarell Quansah at right-back.
