World Cup – Bellingham scores and assists, Kane adds another goal, England 2-0 Panama, set to face Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the third round of Group L at the 2026 World Cup, England defeated Panama 2-0 at the Metropolitan Life Stadium in New York City. Panama, who had already been eliminated, advanced as group leaders with 7 points from 2 wins and 1 draw, and will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Round of 32.

England and Panama traded attacks early on, but neither managed to score. In the 1st minute, José Cordoba delivered a long pass, and Thomas Rodriguez's long-range shot was saved by Jordan Pickford. In the 8th minute, Marcus Rashford cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, which was brilliantly saved by Orlando Mosquera. In the 15th minute, Jude Bellingham delivered a long pass from midfield at a 45-degree angle, and Bukayo Saka cut inside to the right side of the penalty area before unleashing a powerful shot that went just wide. In the 26th minute, Thomas Rodriguez played a precise through ball from midfield, and José Rodriguez's shot from inside the box was again saved by Pickford. In the 38th minute, Elliott Anderson crossed from the attacking third, and Rashford's header from the left side of the penalty area went over the crossbar.

The second half began with both sides switching ends. In the 53rd minute, Rashford created a dangerous chance with a cross from the left wing, but Harry Kane's attempt to get to the ball was cleared by Cordoba and Andreas Andrade. In the 57th minute, Bellingham played a through ball forward, and Kane broke into the penalty area and fired a shot, which was brilliantly saved by Mosquera.

In the 61st minute, the Three Lions finally broke the deadlock: Saka delivered a corner kick from the left, and Bellingham volleyed it into the near corner. In the 67th minute, Bellingham broke down the left and chipped the ball to Kane, who headed it into the net for another goal. This also surpassed Gary Lineker to become England's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Eric Davies delivered a long pass from midfield, and Jose Fajardo broke into the penalty area and scored a one-on-one goal, but it was ruled offside. Ultimately, England defeated Panama 2-0, while Panama finished bottom of the group with three losses and were eliminated.

Image source: Internet