World Cup: Bellingham shines as England tops group; Croatia advances as runner-up

England secured their place at the top of Group L and advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Panama. After a goalless draw against Ghana in their previous match, the Three Lions faced a resilient Panamanian defense that had already been eliminated from the tournament.

Despite the defensive challenge, England found their breakthrough in the second half. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a close-range finish from a corner kick. Shortly after, Harry Kane doubled the lead with a header, sealing the win for England. The match, played under rainy conditions at the New York Jersey Stadium, saw England controlling possession but struggling to break down Panama's compact formation for much of the game.

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Bellingham manages to anticipate everyone and breaks through the Panamanian defense with a poacher's finish.

This victory keeps England's hopes alive in their quest to win the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. Meanwhile, Croatia managed to secure second place in the group after a hard-fought win against Ghana, setting the stage for the next round of the tournament.

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Just 5 minutes later, Bellingham, who turns 23 tomorrow, paints a cross for Kane's headed goal.