AFP | East Rutherford

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Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane struck in the second half as England beat Panama 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium to secure top spot in Group L and book their place in the World Cup knockout stage.

After a sluggish first hour on a soggy afternoon in New Jersey, England finally made the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when Bellingham rose to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner. The Real Madrid midfielder then turned provider, crossing for Kane to head home midway through the second half and seal victory.

Kane’s third goal of the tournament, following his brace against Croatia, saw the England captain move clear of Gary Lineker as his country’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals.

Thomas Tuchel’s side had struggled to break down Panama’s stubborn defence, much as they did in the goalless draw with Ghana. Marcus Rashford, one of five changes to the starting line-up, tested goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera early, headed over from an Elliot Anderson cross and curled a free-kick just wide before the break, while Jordan Pickford denied Jose Luis Rodriguez at the other end.

England looked sharper after the restart. Jose Cordoba nearly forced an own goal when his clearance ricocheted off teammate Andres Andrade and flew just over the crossbar, before Mosquera kept out Kane. The pressure finally paid off through Bellingham’s close-range finish before his cross set up Kane for the second.

Panama, who exit the tournament without a point or a goal after three straight defeats, thought they had pulled one back late on through Jose Fajardo, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

England finish the group with seven points from three games and will face a third-placed team in the next round.