Jude Bellingham delivered a masterclass performance as England defeated Panama 2-0 at MetLife Stadium to secure top spot in Group L. The Real Madrid midfielder broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a composed finish from Bukayo Saka's corner, then provided the assist for Harry Kane's record-breaking goal five minutes later. Kane's 11th World Cup strike made him England's all-time leading scorer in the tournament, surpassing Gary Lineker's long-standing record.

Gary Neville praised Bellingham as 'an absolute superstar' on ITV, while Roy Keane was more critical of Thomas Tuchel's approach despite the victory. The win came after Croatia's 1-0 lead over Ghana through Petar Sukic's goal, which meant England needed maximum points to finish first. Tuchel acknowledged the team's struggles in the final third during a sluggish first half.

England's progression to the knockout stage sets up a potential last-32 clash with Senegal or DR Congo. Neville emphasized the need for Tuchel to solidify the back four and reintegrate Declan Rice, suggesting the manager still lacks clarity on his strongest XI. The Three Lions will need significant improvement against higher-quality opposition.

This result confirms England's status as Group L winners, but questions remain about their consistency and Tuchel's tactical setup. Bellingham's emergence as the team's standout performer provides genuine optimism heading into the knockout rounds.