Kane breaks England World Cup record as Three Lions beat Panama to top Group L

England secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama, but it was captain Harry Kane who stole the headlines by becoming the country’s all-time leading goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup.

After a frustrating opening hour, Jude Bellingham inspired England to victory with a superb all-round display before setting up Kane to make history. The result means England finish first in the group and will face DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta.

England struggled to find their rhythm for much of the contest, producing another below-par attacking display against a Panama side that had already been eliminated from the tournament. Thomas Tuchel’s men looked short of ideas in the final third and were repeatedly tested defensively by determined opponents.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 62nd minute through Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder reacted brilliantly to a Bukayo Saka corner, stretching to guide the ball beyond goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera and give England the lead they had desperately been searching for.

Just five minutes later, Bellingham turned provider. His perfectly delivered cross found Kane inside the penalty area, and the England captain made no mistake, heading home from close range to score his 11th World Cup goal. The strike moved Kane past Gary Lineker as England’s highest-ever World Cup goalscorer while also extending his remarkable international tally to 82 goals in 117 appearances.

Bellingham’s influence was once again evident as he drove England forward whenever they lacked creativity. His energy, vision and determination transformed the game after a disappointing first-half performance from the Three Lions.

Although England celebrated another victory, the performance exposed several defensive concerns ahead of the knockout rounds. Panama, ranked 42nd in the world, created numerous opportunities and registered 13 shots, highlighting vulnerabilities that stronger opponents could exploit.

England also suffered another injury setback when Jarell Quansah, filling in at right-back for the injured Reece James, was forced off during the second half. The latest injury will be another concern for Tuchel as he prepares for the knockout stages.

There was another historic moment late in the match when Jordan Henderson came off the bench to become the first England player to feature in four FIFA World Cups, marking another milestone on an evening full of records.

Despite finishing top of Group L, England know significant improvements will be needed if they are to challenge for the World Cup title. While Bellingham’s brilliance and Kane’s goals continue to inspire confidence, defensive frailties and inconsistent performances remain areas that require urgent attention.

Nevertheless, the Three Lions achieved their immediate objective by securing first place and booking a last-32 clash with DR Congo. With knockout football now beginning, Tuchel will hope his side can build momentum and deliver more convincing displays as the tournament enters its decisive stages.