England secures Group L top spot with win over Panama

By Rohan Gupta — 28 June 2026 — 3 min read

England triumphs over Panama in Group L finale

England defeated Panama 2-0 in their final Group L match, securing the top position in the group. The match, played in rainy East Rutherford, N.J., saw second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. This victory ensures England’s progression to the knockout round of the World Cup.

The first half of the game offered few clear opportunities for either side. England maintained more possession but was unable to convert it into a lead. Panama’s best chance came in the 27th minute when Jose Luis Rodriguez made a run, but his shot was saved by England’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford. Marcus Rashford also had an attempt from a free kick in first-half stoppage time, which missed wide.

Harry Kane had a significant opportunity in the 57th minute, but Orlando Mosquera, Panama’s goalkeeper, managed to bat it away. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 62nd minute after a period of play that included a yellow card for England defender Jarell Quansah, who was receiving treatment following a challenge.

Bellingham and Kane secure the win

Following the stoppage, England earned a corner kick. Bukayo Saka’s delivery led to Jude Bellingham’s opening goal, as he tapped the ball into the near corner with his left foot, despite having a defender close to him. This goal marked a crucial breakthrough for England.

Just five minutes later, Bellingham played a key role again, connecting with Harry Kane. Bellingham delivered a cross from the left side of the box, and Kane converted it with a header to the near post, while Mosquera was diving in the opposite direction. This goal sealed England’s 2-0 victory.

Kane’s goal was particularly significant as it made him England’s leading goal-scorer in World Cup history, surpassing Gary Lineker with his 11th tally. This achievement highlights Kane’s impact on the national team’s performance in the tournament.

Panama continued to press in the final 20 minutes, but their efforts to get shots on target were largely unsuccessful. Ismael Diaz missed a shot wide right in the 90th minute, and Jose Fajardo had a goal disallowed for offside during stoppage time.

England’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, made two saves to maintain a clean sheet, while Panama’s Orlando Mosquera was credited with four saves. The defensive performance contributed to England’s control of the match.

Player performances and group standings

Several England players delivered notable performances. Jude Bellingham, playing in a deeper role, was heavily involved and not only scored the opener but also provided an assist for Kane’s goal, showcasing his importance as England’s X-factor. Elliot Anderson, as the starting number six, effectively kept the ball moving in midfield and injected pace into attacks.

Bukayo Saka consistently posed a threat with the ball and his quality deliveries from corners were instrumental, contributing to England taking the lead. Marcus Rashford also showed flashes of pace and created opportunities, forcing the goalkeeper into a save in the first half.

Defensively, Jarell Quansah, making his first World Cup start at right-back, was solid despite coming off with an ankle injury in the second half. Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi also made important contributions in defence, dealing with Panama’s attacks.

With this win, England concluded Group L with seven points (2-0-1 record). In the other group match, Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1, meaning all three teams will advance to the knockout round. Panama, with zero points (0-3-0 record), was eliminated from the tournament before the match began, extending their World Cup record to 0-6-0 across two tournaments.

England is scheduled to play their next match on Wednesday in Atlanta against a third-place opponent yet to be determined.

Substitutes introduced during the match included Djed Spence, who replaced the injured Quansah, and Noni Madueke, who came on for Saka and maintained pressure on the Panama defence. Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins also entered the game, with Watkins giving Kane a rest once the win was secured. Jordan Henderson was brought on to help see out the game with his experience.

Source: bbc.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter