Jude Bellingham broke a deadlock with a goal and an assist in the second half of England’s Group L finale as the Three Lions defeated Panama 2-0 to win the group Saturday in rainy East Rutherford, N.J.
Harry Kane scored England’s second goal and became the nation’s leading World Cup goal-scorer, surpassing Gary Lineker with his 11th tally.
England (2-0-1, 7 points) separated from the pack in Group L as Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 in the other match. All three teams will advance to the knockout round. England will play Wednesday in Atlanta against a third-place opponent to be determined.
Panama (0-3-0, 0 points) were eliminated before the match began. They sank to 0-6-0 across two World Cups all-time.
Jordan Pickford made two saves to keep the clean sheet for England. Panama’s Orlando Mosquera was credited with four saves.
There was little buildup to England’s 62nd-minute breakthrough. Defender Jarell Quansah was shown a yellow card while on the ground requesting treatment after a reckless challenge on Jose Luis Rodriguez, and play was held up for a few minutes.
But England soon earned a corner kick, and Panama seemed unprepared for Bukayo Saka’s offering. Bellingham had a defender draped on his body as he tapped the ball with his left foot to the near corner with Mosquera unable to make a play.
Just five minutes later, Bellingham connected with Kane on a cross from the left side of the box. Kane hit a classy header to the near post as Mosquera was already airborne diving the other way.
Panama kept pushing in the final 20 minutes, but they struggled to put their shots on target. Ismael Diaz missed a rocket shot wide right in the 90th minute. During stoppage time, Jose Fajardo broke upfield to receive a pass and bury it in the net but was rightly called offside.
The first half was bereft of chances for either side. Panama’s best came in the 27th minute when Rodriguez made a run only for Pickford to stop his shot.
England had more of the possession but couldn’t capitalize, including on a free kick near the box in first-half stoppage time. Marcus Rashford’s attempt around Panama’s wall did not curl enough and missed wide right.
Kane had a golden opportunity batted away by Mosquera in the 57th.
