England moved into the World Cup knockout stage as Group L winners after a 2-0 victory over Panama, with Jude Bellingham scoring and assisting and Harry Kane setting a national tournament goals record. Thomas Tuchel’s team will now meet DR Congo in the last 32, having already confirmed progression before kick-off at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The match stayed goalless for more than an hour, as Panama restricted England and forced rushed decisions in attack. Marcus Rashford missed two clear openings during that period. The breakthrough finally arrived on 62 minutes when Bellingham guided Bukayo Saka’s out-swinging corner into the bottom-left corner, before turning creator five minutes later.

Bellingham’s cross for the second goal was headed in by Kane, whose glancing touch secured England’s win and a historic personal mark. That finish made Kane England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer on 11 goals, moving ahead of Gary Lineker’s tally of 10 and underlining Kane’s long-term scoring consistency at major tournaments.

At 22 years and 363 days, Bellingham entered the record books as well, becoming the youngest England player on record, since 1966, to both score and assist in a single World Cup match. Bellingham is the fourth England player overall to achieve that combined feat at the tournament, adding another milestone to an already influential international career.

Speaking to reporters, Bellingham set the performance within England’s wider World Cup plan, stressing a stage-by-stage mindset and the need for improvement between fixtures. Bellingham said: “The first job [is] achieved. We came here to do it in sections, and now we’ve achieved that first objective: to get through the group and to top it as well. We knew what level we wanted to achieve, and we did it second half. Every game we’ve got to improve, and it’s up to us to achieve that. The assist was a good combination of play, and the [England World Cup goalscoring] record is everything Harry Kane deserves.”

England entered the game knowing progress to the last 32 was already guaranteed, yet topping Group L still mattered for Tuchel and the squad. That target shaped selection and England’s patient approach against compact opponents in New York New Jersey Stadium. Finishing first now pairs England with DR Congo in the next round, providing a clear path and preparation focus.

World Cup test for Panama and statistical landmarks

Panama arrived at this fixture already eliminated but still offered England a demanding contest, pressing with intensity and closing spaces in midfield. Thomas Christiansen’s side defended deep for long spells and countered when possible, but finally conceded just after the hour mark. Panama leave the World Cup on the back of three straight wins, yet also with an unwanted statistical note.

Across tournament history, Panama became only the sixth team to lose their first six World Cup matches. Half of those nations reached that six-defeat mark at this edition, with Haiti and Iraq also joining the list. The contrast between recent form and overall tournament results underlined Panama’s difficult learning curve on football’s largest international stage.

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After the match, winger Jose Luis Rodriguez reflected on Panama’s efforts and the narrow margins that separated them from better results in Group L. Rodriguez told RPC Radio: “Very happy with the team’s performance. In the end, we didn’t get the results we expected, but we competed until the end. We didn’t give up. Perhaps in the first few matches, we need to be more clinical in front of goal, like we were in this game. But I’m very happy with how we played in the matches because, in the end, we fought, we didn’t give up, and we’re left with that. We tried to close down the spaces well, try to play on the counter-attack. Obviously, in the second half we decided to take a few more risks, but in the end it’s football, and I want to thank my teammates for fighting until the end.”

England leave Group L with confidence through Bellingham’s impact, Kane’s record and a controlled win secured late in the game. Panama depart with six defeats but with credit for disciplined structure and commitment, highlighted by Rodriguez’s comments. The last-32 meeting with DR Congo will now test whether England can raise performance levels again as Bellingham suggested.