England secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, booking their flights to Atlanta for the round of 32. Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane sealed the win, though the performance raised fresh concerns over the team's wide options and a mounting right-back injury crisis.
Top spot sealed after patient display
England did what was required to finish first in their group, bouncing back from a frustrating 1-1 draw with Ghana in Foxborough. Panama, already eliminated and goalless in their previous two matches, adopted a brave approach rather than parking the bus, allowing England more space than they had against Ghana.
Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka made their first starts of the tournament, supported by a midfield trio of Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, and Jude Bellingham playing deeper as a No.8. England did not create a multitude of chances but capitalised when it mattered: Bellingham stabbed home from a Saka corner, and Kane headed in the second to seal the win.
Fresh wingers fail to deliver a telling answer
Neither Saka nor Rashford produced a poor display, but neither set the match alight either. Handed the opportunity to prove themselves as better alternatives to Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke, their answers were unconvincing.
Rashford was lively throughout, cutting in from the left and looking to shoot or cross. He came close with a low shot early on and put a free-kick wide from a presentable area in the first half, but things just did not come off. He was often stopped by well-timed tackles and left the field frustrated at not scoring or assisting despite seeing plenty of the ball.
Saka, finally fit enough to start, found similar difficulty in beating his man and breaking through a well-organised Panama defence. The Arsenal star combined well with Rogers on occasion and managed to leave with an assist from his corner for Bellingham's opener, which came as a relief to England fans. He will likely keep his place for the round of 32 but will be keen to raise his level significantly.
Right-back crisis brewing
By the round of 16, England might have to consider tempting Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker out of international retirement, as a right-back crisis appears to be brewing. Newcastle's Tino Livramento dropped out of the squad on the eve of the tournament with a calf injury, and Reece James missed the Panama match after skipping training with more hamstring pain.
Jarell Quansah made his major tournament debut as James's replacement and looked the part, but he could not finish the match. He went down midway through the second half and had to be substituted, walking off gingerly. England will be desperate for good news as he heads for a medical assessment. Luck has not been on Thomas Tuchel's side in the right-back position.
