Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored early in the second half to help England overcome a stubborn Panama side 2-0 and seal top spot in Group L. Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in the group’s other match to qualify for the World Cup knockouts as second.
On a rainy afternoon before a vocal pro-England crowd that made MetLife Stadium seem like Wembley, Panama held the Three Lions scoreless through a first half when neither team mounted threats and Kane had 10 touches, the fewest of any player.
Bellingham put the Three Lions ahead in the 62nd minute from Bukayo Saka’s corner kick. Held in bear hug by Jorge Gutiérrez at the top of the 6-yard box, Bellingham stuck out his left leg and stabbed the ball past goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera for his third World Cup goal, his second this year.
Five minutes later, Bellingham crossed from the left flank and Kane outjumped Andrés Andrade to head the ball in for his 82nd international goal. Kane became England‘s record World Cup scorer with his 11th goal, one more than Gary Lineker.
England get the job done, just about
It wasn’t always pretty and even less convincing, but England eventually got the job done thanks to the key duo of Bellingham and Kane.
Still, their next opponents will have taken notice of frailties at the back.
Senegal next up for England?
As things stand, England should be facing Senegal in the round of 32.
But the pairing may yet change as a result of the final group matches played later today.
Full time! Panama 0-2 England
Panama goal disallowed!
England should score a third and then Panama break forward, but Jose Fajardo is half a metre offside before slotting past Pickford.
We’ll have six minutes of added time.
Henderson begins fourth World Cup
Anderson is replaced by Jordan Henderson, who becomes the first England player to feature in four World Cups.
Croatia back in front!
Vlasic makes it 2-1 for Croatia against Ghana, who drop back into third.
Yellow card Andrade
Andrade is booked for a cynical foul on Rogers who was racing towards the Panama goal.
It’s only the second yellow of the game.
Ghana with the equaliser!
Ghana have just levelled the group’s other match, meaning they move above Croatia who are now third.
Diaz close!
Ismael Diaz, who has just come on for Panama, grabs a loose ball on the right and lashes a low shot just wide.
Some sloppy defending from England, who have lowered their guard after those two goals.
Bellingham comes off
Tuchel can finally rest one of his key players ahead of the knockouts.
Bellingham is replaced by Eze.
Kane with the second! Panama 0-2 England!
A great run from Bellingham whose cross is headed into the net by the England captain.
It’s Kane’s 11th World Cup goal, making him England’s all-time top scorer in the competition, ahead of Gary Lineker.
Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England’s opener. Photo: Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters
Bellingham with the breakthrough! Panama 0-1 England!
A Saka corner finds the Real Madrid forward who volleys home from close range!
Mosquera saves!
Kane smashes a shot goalwards but the Panama keeper pulls off a fine save.
Seconds earlier, Rodriguez found himself with the ball and acres of space but his curling shot drifted wide.
Rashford finds the side netting
Rashford races down the left for the umpteenth time and fires a low shot that hits the side netting.
A cross might have been a better option with red shirts in the box.
Panama close to an own-goal!
Cordoba attempts to clear a Rashford cross but very nearly smashes the ball into his own net.
Martinez takes a whack
Cristian Martinez take a painful knock as Nico O’Reilly lands on his head, but it was totally accidental.
Bellingham also took a blow earlier on but he’s fine.
