Bellingham, Kane fire England to win over Panama and top Group L

NEW JERSEY: Jude Bellingham scored once and set up Harry Kane for another as England beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday to finish top of Group L and move into the World Cup knockout stage as section winners.

Thomas Tuchel's side ended the group phase with seven points from three matches, ahead of Croatia on six after their 2-1 win over Ghana, who finished on four. Panama ended bottom after losing all three games and failing to score, following earlier 1-0 defeats against Ghana and Croatia.

England's victory means they avoid a possible meeting with Spain in the next round. They will now face one of the best third-placed teams in the Round of 32, with Express Tribune reporting the tie will be played in Atlanta next Wednesday, July 1.

Bellingham breaks the deadlock

England controlled possession for long spells but struggled to break down a deep Panama defence for much of the game on a wet afternoon in New Jersey. After a flat first half and a largely laboured opening hour, the breakthrough came in the 62nd minute from a Bukayo Saka corner.

Bellingham got on the end of the delivery in a crowded penalty area and turned the ball past goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera despite close marking from Panama defender Jorge Gutierrez. The Real Madrid midfielder, scoring his second goal of the tournament, then played provider five minutes later when he delivered a cross from the left for Kane to head home.

The goal was Kane's third of the tournament after his brace in the 4-2 victory over Croatia. It also took the England captain to 11 World Cup goals, moving him past Gary Lineker as his country's all-time leading scorer at the tournament.

Changes by Tuchel

Tuchel made five changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Ghana. Marcus Rashford and Saka were handed their first starts of the World Cup on the wings, while Declan Rice was rested. Reece James missed out with a hamstring problem, Jarell Quansah started at right back, Nico O'Reilly returned at left back, and Morgan Rogers was brought into a more attacking midfield role.

Rashford was England's brightest early threat, forcing Mosquera into a save inside the opening 10 minutes. He later headed over from an Elliot Anderson cross and curled a free-kick narrowly wide before halftime. Anderson also tested Mosquera from distance.

Panama offered little in attack but did create one notable opening in the first half when Jordan Pickford had to save from Jose Luis Rodriguez in the 26th minute. After the break, Panama nearly put through their own net when Jose Cordoba's clearance struck teammate Andres Andrade and went just over, before Mosquera denied Kane.

Late on, Jose Fajardo had the ball in the net for Panama, but the effort was ruled out for offside. There was also a milestone for Jordan Henderson, who came on to become the first England player to feature at four World Cups.

England have not matched the level they showed in their opening win over Croatia, and the display against Panama was far from fluent. Still, the result secured safe passage into the knockout rounds, while Panama departed without a point from the tournament.