England secured a vital win against Panama to finish top of their World Cup group, with Jude Bellingham delivering a match-winning performance in the second half.
Thomas Tuchel’s side struggled in the opening 45 minutes, much as they had done in their previous group game against Ghana, before Bellingham turned the match on its head.
The Real Madrid superstar scored to make it 1-0 before teeing up Harry Kane’s header, making him the youngest England player since 1966 to both score and assist in a World Cup match at 22 years and 363 days old.
Jordan Pickford was largely untroubled throughout but produced a sharp stop to deny José Luiz Rodríguez when England’s defence was briefly exposed on the counter-attack, earning a rating of 7.
Jarell Quansah came into the side at right-back following Reece James being ruled out through injury, producing a decent if nervy display before being replaced by Djed Spence after picking up a knock.
Marc Guehi was arguably England’s most consistent outfield performer, the Manchester City centre-back dominant in the air and composed throughout, earning an impressive 8 for what many considered his best display of the tournament.
Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers formed a solid midfield platform that gave Bellingham the freedom to roam forward, with Rogers deputising effectively for the rested Declan Rice in a typically industrious display.
Bukayo Saka had a quiet first half but grew into the game after the break, while Marcus Rashford was England’s brightest attacking outlet in the first 45 minutes and played a key role in the second goal with a decisive long ball.
Rashford’s long pass freed Bellingham down the left, and the midfielder’s cross was met by Kane with a clinical header that doubled England’s lead and made him the country’s all-time leading scorer at World Cups.
Bellingham’s second-half showing was nothing short of electric, and his ability to take over big games at the highest level will give Tuchel enormous confidence as the knockout stages approach.
Nico O’Reilly continued his steady development in this tournament, offering width down the left and providing underlapping runs that gave England an additional attacking dimension throughout the contest.
England will now turn their attention to the knockout rounds as they look to build on a promising group stage that, despite some unconvincing spells, has shown the quality this side possesses when Bellingham is at his brilliant best.
