Harry Kane etched his name into FIFA World Cup history on 28 June as England defeated Panama 2-0 at New Jersey to finish top of Group L and advance to the knockout rounds. Kane's header — his 11th World Cup goal — surpassed the previous England record held by Gary Lineker, making him the nation's all-time leading scorer at the tournament.

How the Goals Came

Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, throwing an instinctive left foot at Bukayo Saka's corner to divert the ball home — his second goal of the tournament. Just four minutes later, Bellingham turned provider, scooping a cross from the left wing that Kane met with a planted header across goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera to make it 2-0.

A Frustrating First Half

Panama, already eliminated heading into the fixture, made England work hard for large stretches. Marcus Rashford tested Mosquera as early as the 8th minute, cutting onto his right foot and firing towards the near corner, only for the keeper to get a strong hand behind it. Panama responded in the 26th minute when Jose Luis Rodriguez unleashed a powerful shot that stung Jordan Pickford's palms, while Carlos Harvey swept another effort into the side netting.

England pressed without reward before the break — Elliot Anderson fired straight at the keeper from range, and Rashford's stoppage-time free-kick flew just past the base of the right post. The teams went in level at 0-0 at half-time.

Second Half Pressure and the Breakthrough

England came closest just five minutes after the restart, with Kane unable to convert a cross as two Panamanians scrambled the ball clear from beneath their own crossbar. Rashford was released down the left but fired wide rather than squaring to a teammate. Panama threatened on the counter through J. Rodriguez, who curled just over, before Mosquera made another big save to deny Kane clean through on goal.

The deadlock finally broke just after the hour mark, and once Bellingham opened the scoring, the game was effectively settled within minutes. Substitute Noni Madueke was unfortunate to see his effort saved after Morgan Rogers' through ball. Panama's Jose Fajardo beat Pickford late on, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.

England Through, Panama Exit Goalless

England advance to the knockout stage as Group L winners, with their campaign gathering momentum at the right time. Panama exit the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the only side in the tournament not to have scored a single goal. This is the third successive World Cup in which England have progressed from the group stage, underlining the squad's consistency under pressure. The record-breaking Kane milestone adds a historic dimension to what was otherwise a hard-fought, functional victory.