England secured top spot in Group L with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Panama, booking their place in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were not at their best throughout the match, but second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane proved enough to get the job done.

The win means England finished Group L with two victories and a draw, confirming their status as group winners heading into the knockout rounds.

Despite the positive result, there are genuine concerns surrounding the performance, with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford both failing to make the impact many had hoped for.

Reece James was notably absent at right-back and his ongoing injury is shaping up to be a significant worry for Tuchel as the tournament progresses.

As group winners, England will now face one of the eight best third-placed teams who qualify for the next round in this expanded edition of the World Cup.

At present, England are set to face Senegal, though that outcome could well change depending on the result of DR Congo’s match against Uzbekistan later on Saturday evening.

Congo enter that fixture as favourites, but a draw or defeat for the central African nation could still leave England facing Senegal in the last 32.

There is also a highly unlikely scenario in which England could meet Portugal, though that would require Cristiano Ronaldo’s side to lose to Colombia while also seeing a seven-goal swing in the results.

On the whole, the draw looks reasonably favourable for England, although facing Senegal would not be without its dangers given the west African side beat them 3-1 in a recent friendly.

Elsewhere in Group L, Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to finish second, with Luka Modric’s side now preparing for their own last-32 assignment from Group K.

Ghana’s tally of four points gives them a strong chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed sides across the tournament’s group stage.

Should Croatia progress as group runners-up, they would face the second-placed team from Group K, which is currently Portugal.

Ghana, finishing third, would instead take on the Group K winners, a position currently held by Colombia, pending further results on Saturday night.

England will be hoping the injury concerns ease and their attacking players hit form as the knockout stage begins to take shape in this historic, expanded World Cup.

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