England labour past Panama to seal top spot as Croatia reach World Cup knockouts

England labour past Panama to seal top spot as Croatia reach World Cup knockouts Sport Issued on: 28/06/2026 - 01:01Modified: 28/06/2026 - 01:07 1 min Reading time Share By: FRANCE 24 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. 28/06/2026 - 01:07Senegal next up for England?

As things stand, England should be facing Senegal in the round of 32.But the pairing may yet change as a result of the final group matches played later today. 28/06/2026 - 00:56 28/06/2026 - 00:55Full time!

Panama 0-2 England 28/06/2026 - 00:50Panama goal disallowed! England should score a third and then Panama break forward, but Jose Fajardo is half a metre offside before slotting past Pickford.We'll have six minutes of added time.

28/06/2026 - 00:50Henderson begins fourth World Cup Anderson is replaced by Jordan Henderson, who becomes the first England player to feature in four World Cups. 28/06/2026 - 00:48Croatia back in front! Vlasic makes it 2-1 for Croatia against Ghana, who drop back into third.

28/06/2026 - 00:46Yellow card Andrade Andrade is booked for a cynical foul on Rogers who was racing towards the Panama goal.It's only the second yellow of the game. 28/06/2026 - 00:40Ghana with the equaliser!

Ghana have just levelled the group's other match, meaning they move above Croatia who are now third. 28/06/2026 - 00:37Diaz close! Ismael Diaz, who has just come on for Panama, grabs a loose ball on the right and lashes a low shot just wide.

Some sloppy defending from England, who have lowered their guard after those two goals. 28/06/2026 - 00:35Bellingham comes off Tuchel can finally rest one of his key players ahead of the knockouts. Bellingham is replaced by Eze.

28/06/2026 - 00:27Kane with the second! Panama 0-2 England! A great run from Bellingham whose cross is headed into the net by the England captain.

It's Kane's 11th World Cup goal, making him England's all-time top scorer in the competition, ahead of Gary Lineker. 28/06/2026 - 00:25 Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England's opener. Photo: Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters 28/06/2026 - 00:21Bellingham with the breakthrough!

Panama 0-1 England! A Saka corner finds the Real Madrid forward who volleys home from close range! 28/06/2026 - 00:18Mosquera saves!

Kane smashes a shot goalwards but the Panama keeper pulls off a fine save.Seconds earlier, Rodriguez found himself with the ball and acres of space but his curling shot drifted wide. 28/06/2026 - 00:16Rashford finds the side netting Rashford races down the left for the umpteenth time and fires a low shot that hits the side netting.

A cross might have been a better option with red shirts in the box. 28/06/2026 - 00:13Panama close to an own-goal! Cordoba attempts to clear a Rashford cross but very nearly smashes the ball into his own net.

28/06/2026 - 00:11Martinez takes a whack Cristian Martinez take a painful knock as Nico O'Reilly lands on his head, but it was totally accidental.Bellingham also took a blow earlier on but he's fine. 28/06/2026 - 00:08We're off again Away we go for the second half.

28/06/2026 - 00:00Some half-time reading 27/06/2026 - 23:51Half-time: Panama 0-0 England It was a bright start from England, but Panama soon settled down and the Three Lions are now looking short of ideas.Tuchel will surely be having a word with his players. Keywords for this article World Cup 2026 Football World Cup 2026 live England Panama Croatia Ghana England labour past Panama to seal top spot as Croatia reach World Cup knockouts Sport Issued on: 28/06/2026 - 01:01Modified: 28/06/2026 - 01:07 1 min Reading time Share By: FRANCE 24 Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England's opener against Panama.

© Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters England labour past Panama to seal top spot as Croatia reach World Cup knockouts Issued on: 28/06/2026 - 01:01Modified: 28/06/2026 - 01:07 1 min