England beat Panama 2-0 with goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, thereby topping their group, but did so in unconvincing fashion at times. Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in the other Group L game, to come second, while the African side qualify in third.
There were five changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Ghana. Reece James was missing through injury and Declan Rice was rested, leading to Jarell Quansah and Morgan Rogers coming in. Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon and Djed Spence made way, meaning first starts for Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford and a recall for Nico O’Reilly, who was in the XI for the win against Croatia.
England had the best of the opening minutes, though Quansah had a moment to forget when he took too long over a throw-in and it was given to Panama as a result. Rashford then cut inside and shot low, forcing Orlando Mosquera to turn the ball behind at his right post. Panama played mainly on the break but lacked control.
With the match played in soggy conditions, the hydration break was inevitably greeted with boos by the crowd, while Thomas Tuchel spoke to his players in animated fashion.
Panama broke more threateningly just after the pause, José Luis Rodríguez forcing a save from Jordan Pickford low down to his right after attacking through space left by Quansah.
The lively Rashford headed over from an Elliot Anderson cross and curled a free-kick just wide in added time and that was as close as England came in the goalless opening half.
The second half began in similar fashion but England had a warning when Anderson was dispossessed on the touchline and José Luis Rodríguez was able to run at the England penalty area without being closed down, allowing him to try a curling shot that was too close to Pickford’s goal for comfort.
Kane then tested Mosquera with a powerful shot from the inside-right channel but Tuchel decided it was time to make a change. As he prepared to do so Quansah tangled with José Luis Rodríguez, was booked, stayed down injured and had to limp off.
The goal finally came when the team were down to 10 as Spence waited to come on. Saka took a corner and Bellingham, despite being wrestled, turned the ball in with his left foot from the edge of the six-yard box. It was Saka’s last involvement, as he gave way to Madueke.
after newsletter promotion
Panama had a chance to equalise almost immediately, the England back four dropping back and Michael Murillo allowed space to shoot, but he put it wide. England quickly punished the mistake, Bellingham turning provider. Played into space down the left, he waited for support and crossed for Kane to head in from close range.
England still looked shaky at the back but Tuchel decided that enough had been done. First Bellingham gave way to Eberechi Eze, then Ollie Watkins came on for Kane and Jordan Henderson for Anderson.
Panama then broke and got the ball in the net through José Fajardo, but it was disallowed for a very tight offside. Tuchel’s displeasure was plain.