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England avoid Spain path, Bellingham helps beat Panama to top World Cup Group L
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- England secured top spot in Group L after a 2-0 win over Panama, setting up a round of 32 match in Atlanta on July 1 against likely opponents Senegal or DR Congo.
- Harry Kane became England’s leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals, moving closer to Pele on the all-time list, while Jude Bellingham also scored for England.
- Despite the win, England showed some defensive vulnerabilities and struggled to break down Panama’s compact defense in the first half, raising concerns about their solidity against stronger opponents.
- Marcus Rashford made a significant impact in his first start of the tournament, demonstrating pace and attacking threat, though England still lacked early goals in recent matches.
- England’s tactical approach focused on quick attacks to avoid a low block, but turnovers and limited creativity out wide highlighted areas for improvement, especially with injury concerns to key defenders.
