Jude Bellingham delivered a complete performance to drag England past Panama 2-0 and secure top spot in Group L – but only after Roy Keane had savaged Thomas Tuchel's side as 'like watching Scotland' during a first-half display that threatened to unravel the tournament favourites.
England laboured through the opening 45 minutes against the FIFA-ranked 34th team, going in goalless with Harry Kane isolated and the midfield unable to break down Panama's stubborn defence. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford provided the only spark, forcing a good save from Orlando Mosquera, but the overall performance drew stinging criticism from ITV pundit Roy Keane.
“Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored second-half goals as England beat Panama 2-0 to top Group L.”
'They are certainly lacking that intensity and sometimes, when you are playing a team with a lot less quality you are going to get dragged down to their level and that is what England seem to have done,' Keane said. 'They're not showing their quality, their top players have not turned up. The players who have the quality are not showing it, a real lack of quality.'
With Croatia leading Ghana in the other group game, England briefly slipped to second in the table, raising the prospect of a Round of 32 clash against Portugal. But the warning signs prompted a response after the break.
Just after the hour mark, Bellingham – playing in a deeper role and 'on the ball a lot more than the previous match', according to BBC Sport's England reporter Alex Howell – scored the opener before providing a quality assist for Kane to wrap up the win five minutes later. Bellingham earned an 8/10 rating, the highest of any England player.
Kane, who had been 'encouraged to stay high and out of an already packed midfield area', was rated 7/10 for his goal and growing influence as the game opened up. Marcus Rashford also scored 7, with BBC Sport noting: 'You always felt there was a chance something could happen when he was on the ball even if it didn't come off.'
There were concerns, however, over defender Jarell Quansah, making his first World Cup start at right‑back, who came off with an ankle injury in the second half. Howell gave him 6/10, adding that he 'does not have the passing range of Reece James but solid defensively'.
England's win – combined with Croatia's 2-1 victory over Ghana, sealed by a last‑gasp Nikola Vlasic goal – means the Three Lions finish top of Group L and will now face either Senegal or DR Congo in the Round of 32, avoiding a potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.