1. Home
  2. Sport

Issued on: 28/06/2026 - 01:01Modified: 28/06/2026 - 01:13

1 min Reading time

Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England's opener against Panama. Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England's opener against Panama. © Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters

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.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Group standings

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.

Keywords for this article