England comes alive in second half to beat Panama, 2-0

NEW YORK — England‘s Group L finale on Saturday against Panama salvaged a mostly underwhelming group stage trio of matches for Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

The Three Lions woke up Saturday already through to the round of 32, but a 2-0 result against the Panamanians showed no real progress — for most of the match — from last Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Ghana.

And the initial pressure of a lack of quality results caused frustration from the English team way before the final whistle at New York and New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

After a ton of spoiled scoring opportunities, Panama’s Jose Luis Rodriguez looked to pick out the top-right corner while virtually unmarked in the 56th minute.

The shot sailed over the bar before England keeper Jordan Pickford shouted at his defenders, clearly displeased with the lack of resistance in their own half.

England were fortunate not to be down 1-0 before getting a timely goal of their own by Jude Bellingham, who hooked his left foot around a defender to knock in a cross from Bukayo Saka in the 62nd minute.

Then Harry Kane provided insurance with a header five minutes after. The goal made the striker England’s all-time World Cup goal leader (11), passing Gary Lineker.

It erased a lackluster first half that English fans have gotten used to — the team failed to lead going into halftime for each group stage match in this North American 2026 World Cup. They remained tied throughout an entire group stage match against Ghana, and went into halftime tied, 2-2, in an eventual 4-2 victory over Croatia in the opener.

Kane’s goal allowed fans here in New Jersey to exhale as well, cheering and singing along to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” during the subsequent hydration break.

The loudest roars of the match, however, happened after the sold-out stadium of 80,663 fans got a glimpse of David Beckham on the jumbotron.

Panama supporters seemed to have their moment of joy during second-half stoppage time as sub Jose Fajardo put one past Pickford. The joy ended quickly as the sideline official raised his flag to rule offside.

There were no such English cheers — just groans — as the much talked about “giants” failed to convert in the opening 45 minutes.

Marcus Rashford, who made his first ’26 World Cup start in place of Anthony Gordon on the left wing, lost countless possessions on the ball. He also misfired on a free kick that came inches away from the target in first-half stoppage time.

Saka, who started in place of Noni Madueke on the right, wasn’t sharp on the ball for most of the opening half, too.

To England’s credit, they did create better chances inside the box than they did against Ghana, who largely played for a draw while staying defensive for 90 minutes.

Like the opener against Croatia, Bellingham saved the day.

His goal and assist Saturday was good enough to send his team into the knockout round atop of Group L.

Bellingham recorded a goal near the beginning of the second half against Croatia to put his team ahead for the eventual win.

The Real Madrid star has been England’s best player in the early goings of this tournament. But the midfielder — and the entire team — need to rise to another level for a chance in the knockout rounds.

If not, these so-called soccer “giants” will have an early exit, the kind they’ve gotten used to for decades.