When does – Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham lifted England to a 2–0 win over Panama on June 27, ending Group L with seven points and a Wednesday, July 1 round-of-32 matchup against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The victory brought relief after a goalless draw with Ghan
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Harry Kane stood several feet ahead of his teammates, facing the white slope of English fans behind the goal. After England’s first 2026 World Cup match against Croatia in Dallas, their singing of “Wonderwall” had felt reverential. Here, after the grind of the group stage, it landed somewhere between tentative and relieved.
On Saturday, June 27, England produced the result it needed in its final Group L match, topping Panama with a pair of second-half goals. The Three Lions finished the group with seven points and will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 32 on Wednesday, July 1.
The atmosphere had been uneasy earlier in the tournament. Four days before the Panama match. England played to a goalless draw against Ghana. and during the first half against Panama its attempts into the penalty area kept getting thwarted. In a tournament where England is chasing its second World Cup championship and its first since 1966. the disquiet in the stands felt familiar — the kind that follows unrealized dreams.
That tension now turns to a practical question for coach Thomas Tuchel as England steps into knockout football: after the lineup changes he made for the Panama match, which players will he trust when the games become less forgiving?
Tuchel started forwards Marcus Rashford on the left wing and Bukayo Saka on the right after Ghana’s extra pressure had thrown extra bodies at Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke. The results Saturday were mixed. Rashford gave away possession numerous times, but his effort and intent also created opportunities.
Midfielder Declan Rice did not play against Panama. The absence appeared tied to rest, especially with his club Arsenal — champion of England — having made a run to the Champions League final.
England entered the match already advanced, giving Tuchel a chance to test different players in different lineups. With Rice on the bench, midfielder Jude Bellingham took on a more creative role as a true No. 10, acting as an attacking midfielder who creates for teammates. In the 62nd minute, Bellingham scored England’s first goal. He then curled a pass that found Kane five minutes later for the header that sealed the victory.
Tuchel put the performance drop-off in the group stage into context when asked about it after the match. He pointed to the character of opponents England faced. “The first game (against Croatia) was a more open game, a more attacking game,” he said. “A more technical opponent, an opponent with more ball possession. The second and third opponents were so physical in the duels — happy to be in the deep blocks. happy to play straight through the middle counterattacks. happy to commit on the sides with three or four players to defend the sides. It takes a lot to attack against these teams.”.
For England, the group stage effectively surfaced a blueprint for how teams can defend against them: clog wings with extra bodies, drop midfielders into defense, and use contact and physicality to disrupt possession and timing.
Tuchel acknowledged that the approach may look less stylish than what fans want. “I know that it’s sometimes less spectacular to see,” he said. “But we know what it takes. I know about the effort and commitment from the team. This is what we bring. I think this is also what the fans, especially in the stadium, feel at the moment.”.
Still. when games get tight. England’s forward problems have long been a question of conversion — and Kane remains the clearest answer. His goal Saturday was his 11th in a World Cup. surpassing Gary Lineker for most all-time by an English player in the tournament. Kane is also the country’s all-time leader in international goals with 82.
His finishing offers England its best chance to move forward, whether it comes from his height and leaping ability on headers or his ability to carve soft gaps in defenses.
Bellingham, for his part, spoke about the rhythm Kane brings to the team. “It’s an honor to play with him,” he said. “For me, he’s the best England player of all time. He’s the one who has shown up more than anyone. He’s quite easy to play with, in all honesty. He’s at a level at the minute that’s just incredible. You don’t doubt him at all.”.
Bellingham also offered a sense of where England’s midfield may find its next gear. After a difficult club season with Real Madrid marked by injury and inconsistent form. he controlled the game against Panama. navigating possession and passing lanes and distributing the ball to outlets up the pitch. With teams expected to try to take away the flanks, more of that kind of midfield command could become essential.
Tuchel said the group stage adversity was not just a problem to survive, but a lesson to carry. “It’s good that we had it, because it teaches us lessons,” he said. “It teaches us to stay committed. to stay disciplined. to not lose belief and to keep on knocking and knocking and to trust the process within the match.”.
Now England heads for the round of 32 with the relief of a winning end to Group L — but with questions still hanging in the air. centered on how Tuchel will balance trust. fitness. and a lineup that can break through the physical. tightly packed defenses they’ve already faced twice in this tournament.
England vs Panama Harry Kane Jude Bellingham Thomas Tuchel 2026 World Cup Group L Democratic Republic of Congo Declan Rice Marcus Rashford Bukayo Saka