England beat Panama in their final World Cup group game at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Saturday evening, securing their spot top of the table thanks to Jude Bellingham23:55, 27 Jun 2026Updated 00:04, 28 Jun 2026England beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday night to secure their place at the top of World Cup group L and a potentially easier last-32 tie.‌The Three Lions will be up against the best third-placed teams from Group I, J or K when the final group games have been decided. Coming into the game, Thomas Tuchel made five changes, resting the likes of Declan Rice and Anthony Gordon, and giving Morgan Rodgers and Marcus Rashford a chance.‌England labored in the first half, initially struggling to find a way past Panama. But Jude Bellingham's man of the match performance in the second 45 got the job done. After sweeping home from a corner, he expectly teed up Harry Kane to secure the win for England. It's coming home rang out around the stadium at full-time – but The Three Lions' display wasn't quite that convincing.‌Thomas Tuchel the tinkererThe German made five changes coming into the game - Quansah (James), O'Reilly (Spence), Rogers (Rice), Saka, (Madueke), Rashford (Gordon).Some of the changes were down to injury, others were tactical rests. The Quansah blow is discussed below but it's not too clear what Tuchel will have learnt from the others. Rogers was largely anonymous while Bukayo Saka's sole highlight came in the form of his corner for Bellingham's goal.The good news is England will have definitely have benefitted from Rice resting his legs and coming in fresh for their first knockout game.‌Bellingham brillianceBellingham was deployed deeper thanks to Rodgers coming in for Rice and he had a greater physical impact on the game as a result.Tackles were flying in from the 22-year-old who was seemingly everywhere. When Rashford lost the ball trying to take two men on it was Bellingham who recovered the ball.‌He demonstrated his skill and control under pressure, too, more than once turning out of trouble or drawing a foul. When Pickford punched out a cross to him, he took it down and turned inside two men to earn his team a free-kick.In the second half he played in Kane with who really should have done better, driving his shot straight down the keeper's throat.But it didn't take long for Bellingham to do what Kane couldn't. Bellingham swept home Saka's corner to give England a much-needed goal.‌He showcased his brilliance only moments later too. Working hard to create an opportunity on the end of a long ball, Bellingham's cross found Kane who nodded home.Three halves without a goalNo goal against Ghana. No goal in the first half against Panama. For a team that put four past Croatia, England has really struggled against teams that play a low block.‌Panama did not sit as deep as Ghana but England's lack of creativity has been alarming. There's been no slick passing or the carving open of defences you'd expect. Chances felt resigned to crosses rather than any real threatening moves. Rashford and Saka tried their best down the flanks but the final ball was missing.England once again had the lion's share of possession against their opponents (72.1% in the first half against Panama), but failed to make any of it count. In fact, England had the same number of shots on target as Panama in the first 45.And that's where England will need to be careful in this tournament. Panama looked lively on the break and if the Three Lions push too much they will be susceptible to being punished.‌Rashford game sums him upRashford's career has often been a lot of promise but not a lot of delivery. This game was eerily similar for him.The Manchester United player started brightly, proving a threat down the left flank. After eight minutes he cuts inside on his favored right anda good shot was saved at the near post. Not a minute after he brought down Guehi's long ball brilliantly to again cause trouble.‌But as the game went on his impact waned. After 20 minutes he tried to take on his man only to come away empty handed. His next opportunity to do something finds the defender's foot in front of him.A rare chance with a header sails over the bar before he ballooned a cross out for a goal kick before halftime. His free-kick, a decent opportunity to threaten the goalkeeper, didn't get close.His luck didn't change in the second half, either. He lost it twice in two minutes early on before giving the ball away altogether. Load groans followed the later.‌Injury woes and late concernsEngland came into the game without James who could now well be out for the remainder of the tournament.Quansah filled in for him at the New York/New Jersey Stadium but it was a crushing setback for Tuchel when he came off crocked exactly on the hour mark. It leaves Djed Spence as England's only available natural right-back.‌The other solution would be to play Konsa who has spent time in the position. Up until now Konsa has played every game in England's central defence and looked solid. It would mean a return to the lineup for John Stones who started against Croatia.This won't be the only concern for Tuchel. Panama threatened late on through a couple of chances. England sat off and relaxed a bit too much. A Panama goal was ruled offside before Pickford was sent scrambling after nanother chance went close late on.England XI: Pickford, Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly, Anderson, Bellingham, Rogers, Saka, Kane RashfordArticle continues belowPanama XI: Mosquera, Andrade, Cordoba, Escobar, Gutierrez, Murillo, Rodriguez, Harvey, Barcenas, Martinez, Rodriguez