06/27/26 08:47:00
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06/27 20:46 CDT England beats Panama 2-0 on goals by Bellingham and Kane to win
its World Cup group
England beats Panama 2-0 on goals by Bellingham and Kane to win its World Cup
group
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N,.J. (AP) --- Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and England's
fervid fans made MetLife Stadium feel like Wembley. They hope for a repeat at
next month's World Cup final.
With supporters' red-and-white Cross of St. George signs circling the field on
an afternoon of sporadic rain, Bellingham and Kane scored early in the second
half for a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday. England earned first place in its
group and a more favorable knockout phase bracket.
The Three Lions even wore the red jerseys made famous when England beat Germany
for its only title in 1966, a sartorial similarity connecting north Jersey and
that famous day in north London.
"Amazing support. Crazy white wall behind the goal. Perfect weather to play
football for us," England coach Thomas Tuchel said.
England finished the Group L with two wins and a draw for seven points and play
its round of 32 match Wednesday at Atlanta against Congo. The team that
advances faces Mexico or Ecuador in Mexico City.
If the Three Lions had dropped to second, they would have encountered Portugal,
with the winner meeting Spain, Austria or Algeria.
"I know some people have already made plans," Bellingham said, "so it was nice
they don't have to cancel anything."
Fans filled the field walls with flags displaying club names that included
Tottenham, Watford and Wolves plus some less-celebrated ones such as Crawley
Town, Bristol Rovers and Faversham Town.
Panama held the England scoreless through a first half in which Kane had 10
touches, the fewest of any player. Croatia added pressure by taking the lead
midway through the first half against Ghana in a game played simultaneously in
Philadelphia.
"All the lads were ready to go after halftime," Bellingham said. "We realized
we had a couple of more gears to go."
Bellingham put the Three Lions ahead in the 62nd minute from Bukayo Saka's
corner kick. Held in bear hug by Jorge Gutirrez at the top of the 6-yard box,
Bellingham stuck out his left leg and stabbed the ball past goalkeeper Orlando
Mosquera for his third World Cup goal, his second this year.
Five minutes later, Bellingham crossed from the left flank and Kane outjumped
Andrs Andrade to head in the ball for his 82nd international goal. Kane became
England's record World Cup scorer with his 11th goal, one more than Gary
Lineker.
Bellingham injured his left hamstring playing for Real Madrid on Feb. 1, didn't
return until March 22 and scored just two more goals during the rest of the La
Liga season.
"Jude looks fit, looks sharp," Kane said. "It looks like he's got the bit
between his teeth to really go out there and prove to the world what type of
player he is."
England reached the knockout rounds for the seventh time in eight World Cups.
"They have great players. They are worth millions and millions," Panama
defender Jos Crdoba said. "We're talking about English football, which is
much more developed than in our country and there's a huge distance."
Panama went 0-3 for the second time and was outscored 4-0. It joined Iraq,
Haiti, El Salvador, Canada and Mexico --- all but one from the CONCACAF region
--- as teams that lost their first six World Cup matches. Jos Fajardo put the
ball in the net for the Los Canaleros in second-half stoppage time, but was
called for offside.
"We can be proud --- not of the results, as no one can be proud of a defeat,
but all in all I think they gave their everything." Panama coach Thomas
Christiansen said. "For the outside world, the image of Panama has been really
good."
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played his 15th World Cup match, second among
English players to Peter Shilton's 17.
England's Jarell Quansah, usually a central defender, replaced right back Reece
James, sidelined by a hamstring. Quansah twisted his right ankle during a
59th-minute challenge by Jos Luis Rodrguez and was replaced in the 63rd.
England is short on right backs after Trent Alexander-Arnold was not picked for
the roster.
"It will be now a very tight race for Quansah, so I'm worried about these two,"
Tuchel said.
In the glow of victory, supporters celebrated Bellingham by singing the
Beatles' "Hey Jude" when he stood on the field for postgame interviews.
"This evening is special to take the energy and take in the atmosphere," Tuchel
said. "From tomorrow we will think about round of 32."
___
See more of AP's World Cup coverage here.
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