Jude, take a bow! Bellingham rescues drab England as Three Lions top Group L

England beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday to secure top spot in Group L at the 2026 World Cup, with Jude Bellingham the star of an otherwise drab display. The midfielder broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark before teeing up Harry Kane to double the lead. The result was exactly what Thomas Tuchel wanted; the performance was anything but. Job done — but the questions about this England side are not going away.

Bellingham drags England over the line

Jude Bellingham was the difference in a flat, forgettable game. The Real Madrid midfielder opened the scoring just after the hour mark and quickly turned provider, setting up Harry Kane for 2-0. Without him, this would have been another goalless slog.

Tuchel made five changes after the disappointing draw with Ghana, but England still lacked spark for long stretches. The Three Lions won and topped the group, yet leaned almost entirely on one man to make it happen. A familiar story for England — efficient, but far from convincing.

What top spot means for England’s knockout path

Finishing first in Group L hands England a theoretically kinder route through the last 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Top spot avoids some of the tournament’s heavyweights early, exactly the platform Tuchel wanted before the knockouts begin.

But the underwhelming wins over Ghana and Panama leave real doubts about how this side copes against an elite opponent. England have the result and the seeding; what they still need is a performance that does not depend solely on Bellingham.

Tuchel’s selection gamble pays off — just

Thomas Tuchel’s five changes were a calculated risk, and the scoreline says it worked. England rotated, rested key legs, and still claimed first place without conceding. On paper, a smart night’s work.

Yet the manner of the win will frustrate Tuchel as much as please him. England controlled possession without ever threatening to run away with it, and only Bellingham’s quality turned a stalemate into three points. The Three Lions are through as group winners — but there is plenty for Tuchel to fix before the real tests arrive.

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