Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored within five minutes of each other to hand England a controlled 2-0 victory over Panama at a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium, sealing top spot in World Cup 2026 Group L with a game to spare.
It was not the free-flowing display England's supporters craved after a laboured goalless draw with Ghana, but Thomas Tuchel's side showed enough quality when it mattered most to dispatch a resilient Panama outfit and head into the last 32 with genuine momentum.
The first half belonged to neither side in any meaningful sense.
England dominated possession, finishing with 67 per cent of the ball, and carved out the more promising openings, yet Orlando Mosquera was equal to Marcus Rashford's low drive and a fierce Kane effort from inside the box, keeping the contest level at the break.
Panama were far from passive, either. Tomás Rodríguez tested Jordan Pickford within seconds of kick-off with a controlled left-footed strike, and Los Canaleros were comfortable sitting in a disciplined 5-4-1, threatening on the counter whenever England's shape became loose.
Pickford made four saves across the ninety minutes.
The second half opened with Panama continuing to press, but the game turned decisively in the 62nd minute.
Bukayo Saka whipped an out-swinging corner from the left, and Bellingham, wrestling with his marker throughout, stuck out a leg to flick the ball with his left foot into the bottom corner.
It was a finish of the highest quality under physical pressure.
Five minutes later, England doubled their lead and the tie was done.
Bellingham latched onto a long ball from Rashford on the left flank, showed composure to control and look up, then chipped a delicate delivery onto the head of Kane, who guided his header home from close range with the assurance of a man who had been doing exactly that all his career.
Kane's goal was laden with historical significance. The header took his tally to 11 World Cup goals in total, surpassing Gary Lineker's long-standing record of 10 to become England's all-time leading goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup.
It was, fittingly, created by the teammate who has looked England's most influential player at this tournament.
Bellingham's involvement in both goals drew deserved recognition.
The Real Madrid midfielder became the youngest England player on record, since 1966, to both score and assist in a single World Cup match, underlining his status as the side's most decisive operator at the age of just 22.
Tuchel began managing the game in the final quarter-hour, withdrawing Bellingham and Kane to protect them ahead of the knockout rounds. Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins came on, while Djed Spence replaced the yellow-carded Jarell Quansah at right back.
