England ease past Panama to reach World Cup knockouts with game to spare

England sealed their place in the World Cup knockout stages with a controlled 2-0 victory over Panama, built on dominance of the ball, sharp pressing and a quietly impressive defensive display in Match Round 3.

• Panama will play with . , on .
• England will play with . , on .

Panama

• Orlando Mosquera (6.9)
• Michael Amir Murillo Bermúdez (6.6)
• Fidel Escobar Mendieta (6.6)
• José Ángel Córdoba Chambers (7)
• Andrés Alberto Andrade Cedeño (6.2)
• Jorge Abdiel Gutiérrez Cornejo (6.3)
• Cristian Jesús Martínez (6.7)
• Édgar Yoel Bárcenas Herrera (6.2)
• Carlos Miguel Harvey Cesneros (6.9)
• José Luis Rodríguez Francis (6.3)
• Tomás Abdiel Rodríguez Mena (6.3)

England

Substitutions:

Panama

• Tomás Abdiel Rodríguez Mena (José Fajardo Nelson, 46)
• Édgar Yoel Bárcenas Herrera (Ismael Díaz de León, 71)
• José Luis Rodríguez Francis (Azarías Emmanuel Londoño González, 71)
• Carlos Miguel Harvey Cesneros (Alberto Abdiel Quintero Medina, 88)
• Jorge Abdiel Gutiérrez Cornejo (Éric Javier Davis Grajales, 88)

England

• Jarell Amorin Quansah (Diop Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence, 63)
• Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka (Chukwunonso Tristan Madueke, 63)
• Jude Victor William Bellingham (Eberechi Oluchi Eze, 71)
• Elliot Anderson (Jordan Brian Henderson, 84)
• Harry Edward Kane (Oliver George Arthur Watkins, 84)

Ball possession:

Gareth Southgate’s side, who enjoyed 67% possession and outshot Panama 16-12 overall, were rarely troubled despite occasional flurries from the Central Americans and moved through as group winners thanks to a professional, measured performance.

Passes:

Marcus Rashford once again underlined his importance in tournament football, leading England with six shots on goal and providing the cutting edge that Panama struggled to match, while Jude Bellingham dictated the tempo and physical battles in midfield.

Defense:

### England control contest despite Panama’s threat

Face-to-face:

England’s authority on the game was clear from the outset. They monopolised the ball, used the width of the pitch well and forced Panama into long spells of defending in their own half.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• José Fajardo Nelson (Panama) at 53 minute
• Andrés Alberto Andrade Cedeño (Panama) at 84 minute
• Jarell Amorin Quansah (England) at 60 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Panama –
• England –

Top 5 World Cup scorers:

1. Masour Ousmane Dembélé (3, )
2. Pape Alassane Gueye (2, )
3. Leandro Trossard (2, )
4. Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (2, )
5. Nicolas Pépé (2, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Panama will play with . , on .
• England will play with . , on .