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06/27 18:33 CDT England beats Panama 2-0 on goals by Bellingham and Kane to win
its World Cup group
England beats Panama 2-0 on goals by Bellingham and Kane to win its World Cup
group
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N,.J. (AP) --- Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored early in
the second half, lifting England over Panama 2-0 Saturday and into what appears
to be a more favorable bracket for the knockout phase of the World Cup.
On a rainy afternoon before a vocal pro-England crowd that made MetLife Stadium
seem like Wembley, Panama held the European power scoreless through a first
half in which Kane had 10 touches, the fewest of any player.
Bellingham put the Three Lions ahead in the 62nd minute from Bukayo Saka's
corner kick. Held in bear hug by Jorge Gutirrez at the top of the 6-yard box,
Bellingham stuck out his left leg and stabbed the ball past goalkeeper Orlando
Mosquera for his third World Cup goal, his second this year.
Five minutes later, Bellingham crossed from the left flank and Kane outjumped
Andrs Andrade to head the ball in for his 82nd international goal. Kane became
England's record World Cup scorer with his 11th goal, one more than Gary
Lineker.
"Our first job achieved," Bellingham said. "Just a good combination of play. To
give it to Harry again, who just continues to raise his level, is incredible."
Wearing red jerseys in a tournament for the first time since beating Sweden in
a 2018 World Cup quarterfinal, England finished the group with two wins and a
draw for seven points. The English play their Round of 32 match Wednesday in
Atlanta, likely against Senegal or Congo. The team that advances faces Mexico
or Ecuador in Mexico City.
"They have great players. They are worth millions and millions," Panama
defender Jos Crdoba. "We're talking about English football, which is much
more developed than in our country and there's a huge distance."
If the Three Lions had dropped to second, they probably would have faced
Colombia or Portugal, with the winner meeting Spain, Austria or Algeria.
"We did what was needed. It was what we expected, a tough match against a
physical opponent," England coach Thomas Tuchel said. "The bigger the games
get, the bigger we will get."
Panama went 0-3 for the second time and joined Iraq, Haiti, El Salvador, Canada
and Mexico --- all but one from the CONCACAF region --- as teams that lost
their first six World Cup matches. Jos Fajardo put the ball in the net for the
Los Canaleros in second-half stoppage time, but was called for offside.
"We can be proud --- not of the results, as no one can be proud of a defeat,
but all in all I think they gave their everything." Panama coach Thomas
Christiansen said. "For the outside world, the image of Panama has been really
good."
Supporters filled the field walls with Cross of St. George flags displaying
club names that included Tottenham, Watford and Wolves plus some
less-celebrated ones such as Crawley Town, Bristol Rovers and Faversham Town.
England, which won its only World Cup at home in 1966, reached the knockout
rounds for the seventh time in eight World Cups.
Jarell Quansah, usually a central defender, replaced right back Reece James,
sidelined by a hamstring injury. Nico O'Reilly took over from Djed Spence at
left back. Coach Thomas Tuchel replaced three midfielder, using Bukayo Saka,
Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford instead of Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and
Anthony Gordon.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played his 15th World Cup match, second among
English players to Peter Shilton's 17.
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See more of AP's World Cup coverage here.
