England secured top spot in Group L at the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Panama to set up a last-32 tie against either DR Congo or Senegal in Atlanta on Wednesday. Yet despite the positive result, head coach Thomas Tuchel's side left serious questions unanswered about their readiness to go deep into the tournament.

Bellingham rises to the occasion

Jude Bellingham was the defining figure of this match, delivering a performance that silenced any remaining doubts about his place in the starting eleven. Before the tournament, his spot had been under genuine pressure from Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, who had caught the eye with outstanding club form.

Tuchel chose to keep faith with Bellingham, and was repaid handsomely. Bellingham forced home the opening goal against resolute Panamanian resistance, then provided the cross from which Harry Kane headed England's second. That header took Kane's tally to 11 World Cup finals goals — one clear of Gary Lineker — making him England's outright leading scorer in the competition's history.

Bellingham and Rogers operated as an attacking partnership with Declan Rice rested, as the Liverpool-born midfielder manages a hamstring concern and had also accumulated a yellow card. The pair's enterprising instincts occasionally left Elliot Anderson exposed as a lone pivot, but Bellingham's quality papered over the cracks.