New Jersey: At the FIFA World Cup 2026, England defeated Panama 2-0 to take first place in Group L thanks to a record-breaking goal from Harry Kane following Jude Bellingham's opening goal.
Panama frustrated England in the first half. It was Bellingham who provided the key, holding off his marker and prodding in on the volley from Bukayo Saka's corner after 62 minutes. The England No. 10 then crossed for Harry Kane to head his 11th World Cup goal, one more than previous record-holder Gary Lineker, IANS reported.
England finished with seven points, ahead of Croatia on six, following their 2-1 victory over Ghana, who finished with four. Panama lost all three matches, finishing last. England will face one of the top eight third-place teams in the Round of 32, Reuters reported.
Panama went home from the World Cup as the only goalless side, while England moved through to the knockouts.
Meanwhile, Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic were the goalscoring heroes as Croatia beat Ghana here at Philadelphia Stadium to leapfrog the already-qualified Black Stars into second spot in Group L.
Croatia finished as runners-up and now meet the Group K runners-up in the Round of 32 in Toronto on July 3 (IST). Ghana have finished third and progressed as one of the best third-placed sides.
Croatia could have qualified as one of the best third-placed teams by playing out a draw, but signalled their desire for a win from the first whistle. The warning signs were there for Ghana as early as the 17th minute, when Vlasic found space 20 yards from goal and clipped the outside of the post with a powerful right-foot shot, FIFA reports.
Sucic, at 22 years and 245 days, became the second-youngest player to score for Croatia at the FIFA World Cup, after Josko Gvardiol (20 years, 328 days against Morocco in 2022).
Ghana were offering little at the other end at this stage, with Antoine Semenyo – who fired narrowly wide as half-time approached – their only real source of attacking menace.
The Black Stars improved significantly in the second half, however, and their pressure was rewarded 17 minutes from time when Derrick Luckassen snuck in at a free-kick to side-foot home the equaliser.