**World Cup 2026 – Group L:** Jude Bellingham delivered a masterclass performance as England secured top spot in Group L with a commanding 2-0 victory over Panama at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
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## Match Summary
| Detail | Info |
|——–|——|
| **Match** | Panama 0–2 England |
| **Competition** | FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group L |
| **Venue** | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| **Goals** | Bellingham 62′, Kane 67′ |
| **Group Result** | England (1st), Croatia (2nd), Ghana (3rd – qualified), Panama (4th) |
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After a frustrating first half where Panama’s disciplined defense and dangerous counter-attacks kept England at bay, the Three Lions emerged transformed after the break. The deadlock came in the 62nd minute when **Jude Bellingham** poked home Bukayo Saka’s corner to break Panama’s resistance.
Just five minutes later, Bellingham turned provider — delivering an inch-perfect cross for **Harry Kane** to head home his **11th World Cup goal**, surpassing Gary Lineker’s long-standing record as England’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments.
> *”Bellingham is an absolute superstar and our best player in this game by a mile.”* — Gary Neville, Sky Sports
## What This Means for England
The win confirms England as Group L winners, setting up a potential last-32 showdown against Senegal or DR Congo. Thomas Tuchel’s side showed resilience and quality when it mattered most — exactly the kind of performance champions are built on.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|——|—–|—|—|—|—-|—–|
| 🏴 England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 0 |
## Croatia Join England in Knockouts
In the other Group L match, **Croatia** defeated Ghana 2-1 thanks to a decisive goal from Nikola Vlasic. Both Croatia and Ghana advanced to the knockout stage — England’s win only shifted the seeding, with Croatia finishing as runners-up.
## England’s Upcoming Fixtures
| Round | Opponent (Likely) | Date |
|——-|——————-|——|
| Last 32 | Senegal or DR Congo | TBD |
| Round of 16 | TBD | TBD |
| Quarter-Final | TBD | TBD |
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## FAQ
### Who scored for England against Panama?
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, and Harry Kane doubled the lead in the 67th minute with his record-breaking 11th World Cup goal.
### Did Harry Kane break a record in this match?
Yes — Kane’s goal took him to **11 World Cup goals**, surpassing Gary Lineker (10) as England’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments.
### Who will England face in the knockout stage?
As Group L winners, England will likely face Senegal or DR Congo in the last 32 round. The exact opponent depends on the final results in Group K.
### Where is the England vs Panama match being played?
The match was held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — one of the key venues hosting the 2026 World Cup across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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## Final Verdict
England’s performance answered the critics after a slow first half. Bellingham is proving to be the tournament’s most influential midfielder, and with Kane breaking records, the Three Lions look like genuine contenders. Tuchel’s tactical adjustments at halftime showed why he was brought in — this team is peaking at the right time.
**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)** — A professional job from England. Not flashy, but clinical when it counted.
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*Looking for more World Cup coverage? Check out:*
– [World Cup 2026: Complete Guide to Every Team](/world-cup-2026-guide)
– [Best TVs for Watching World Cup 2026 in 4K](/best-4k-tv-world-cup-2026)