England signed off the group stage with a composed 2-0 victory over Panama at the MetLife Stadium, sealing top spot in Group L. The night belonged to Harry Kane, whose 11th World Cup goal took him past Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading scorer at the finals. Jude Bellingham had opened the scoring, and Thomas Tuchel's side did the job with minimal fuss against an already-eliminated Panama.
How it unfolded: Bellingham then a Kane milestone
England controlled possession and broke through on 62 minutes through Bellingham's crisp finish. Five minutes later Kane struck to claim his record, moving clear of Lineker in the England scoring charts. Panama posed little threat, and England saw out a clean sheet and the points that confirmed first place with comfort.
Context: Tuchel promises more to come
England's group stage was efficient rather than thrilling, and Thomas Tuchel suggested his team will improve in the knockout rounds. With a settled defence, Bellingham's quality and a captain in record-breaking form, the foundations look strong. England navigated the group without conceding control, topping it while keeping plenty in reserve — a position of quiet strength as the decisive phase begins. Kane's milestone is the headline, but the composure and game-management on display will encourage Tuchel just as much, with the manager confident the best is still to come.
The table: England top, DR Congo next
England finished top of Group L on seven points (GD plus four), with Croatia second (to play Portugal) and Ghana third among the best thirds (to face Colombia); Panama exit at the bottom. England meet DR Congo in the Round of 32. Our forecast of over 2.5 goals missed in a 2-0 win, as a controlled England performance kept the scoreline low rather than open.
What we predicted before the match
🌍 FIFA World Cup · World
Panama – England Prediction and Betting Tips
Panama
LLDWL
vs
17:00
27 Jun · Sat
England
DWWWL
Kick-off: 17:00 local (27 Jun) · 21:00 UTCVenue: MetLife StadiumReferee: A. Al Jassim
Top forecast + 4 supporting tips
5 picks Top Pick
Total:Over: 2.5Over 2.5 goals60% confidence
1.56odds
Englandu2019s attacking quality against an eliminated, leaky Panama points to a game that clears 2.5 goals.
Back this tip
X274%
England or draw
1.20 odds
Total Team 2 Over: 1.562%
England over 1.5 goals
1.23 odds
Total Team 1 Under: 1.566%
Panama under 1.5 goals
1.09 odds
Total:Over: 1.578%
Over 1.5 goals
1.18 odds
Panama and England meet at MetLife Stadium in a Group L finale where only the visitors have anything left to play for, with both group games kicking off simultaneously.
England chasing top spot
England sit top of Group L on four points after a 2-0 win over Croatia and a goalless draw with Ghana, and a result here would all but confirm first place and the seeding that comes with it. Thomas Tuchel's side were frustrated by Ghana's defensive masterclass last time out and will be eager to rediscover their cutting edge; against an eliminated Panama, they should find the space and chances that eluded them. Rotation is possible with the knockouts in mind, yet the depth of the squad means quality is rarely far from the pitch.
Panama bow out
Panama, debutants at this level, are already out after defeats to Ghana and Croatia, and arrive still chasing a first-ever World Cup point to show for their efforts. They have struggled to threaten going forward across the group, but will want to sign off with a competitive, organised display against one of the tournament favourites in front of a big New Jersey crowd, and to give their travelling support something to remember.
Our forecast: goals for England
With England's quality set against a Panama defence that has conceded throughout, our forecast leans toward goals: the total over 2.5 reads as the value angle. Around it, England to avoid defeat reflects their class, England over 1.5 fits their firepower, and Panama are tipped to stay under 1.5.
Panama — recent matches
23 Jun 2026Croatia0 — 1L
17 Jun 2026Ghana0 — 1L
06 Jun 2026Bosnia & Herzegovina1 — 1D
04 Jun 2026Dominican Republic4 — 2W
31 May 2026Brazil2 — 6L
England — recent matches
23 Jun 2026Ghana0 — 0D
17 Jun 2026Croatia4 — 2W
10 Jun 2026Costa Rica3 — 0W
06 Jun 2026New Zealand1 — 0W
31 Mar 2026Japan0 — 1L
24.06.2018EnglandvsPanama6 — 1
Key Players
Panama
Aníbal GodoyCDMSan Jose Earthquakes · 100+ caps · Captain
José FajardoSTCD Plaza Amador · 40+ caps
Adalberto CarrasquillaCMPumas · 50+ caps
Ismael DíazSTLeón · 25+ caps
England
Harry KaneSTBayern · 100+ caps · 70+ G · Captain
Jude BellinghamAMReal Madrid · 40+ caps · 7 G
Bukayo SakaRWArsenal · 45+ caps · 13 G
Phil FodenAMMan City · 40+ caps · 5 G
Declan RiceCDMArsenal · 65+ caps
Injuries
Panama
None reported
England
None reported
Venue · Context
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Capacity: 82,500
A vast open-air bowl — the tournament's final venue — with little cover; conditions are typically mild but the large pitch suits expansive play.
Panama
0–2
England
