Three Lions through to knockout phase as Group L winners after 2-0 win over Panama
England have qualified for the World Cup round of 32 as group winners.
The Three Lions went into Saturday nightâs final Group L meeting with Panama in New Jersey needing to either match or better Ghanaâs result against Croatia in Philadelphia to ensure top billing and, theoretically, an easier route through the knockout stages.
It was another laboured first-half performance from Thomas Tuchelâs side in driving rain on a difficult pitch at MetLife Stadium, with Englandâs five changes from their frustrating stalemate with Ghana not initially producing the desired effect as Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Nico OâReilly and Jarell Quansah replaced Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice, Djed Spence and Reece James.
However, they finally broke through Panamaâs stern defences shortly past the hour mark, when Jude Bellingham stuck a leg out beyond his marker to turn home Sakaâs corner.
A second followed just five minutes later as captain Harry Kane overtook Gary Lineker as Englandâs all-time leading World Cup scorer with his 11th finals goal as he headed in Bellinghamâs cross from close range to seal a 2-0 triumph.
It was enough to take first place in Group L, with Ghana losing 2-1 to Croatia courtesy of a late goal from Nikola Vlasic after Petar Sucicâs opener had initially been cancelled out by Derrick Luckassen.
However, plenty of concerns remain for Tuchel, who will be troubled by his teamâs latest defensive lapses in what, on paper at least, was their most straightforward assignment at this World Cup.
Record-breaker: Harry Kane is now Englandâs leading World Cup goalscorer of all time
PA
Who England will face in World Cup last 32
England knew ahead of their meeting with Panama that by clinching top spot in Group L, they would face the third-place team from either Group I, J or K in the newly-created round of 32 at this inaugural expanded 48-team tournament.
If DR Congo beat Uzbekistan in their Group K closer, it would be them in Atlanta on Wednesday. If not, a clash with Senegal loomed instead, with only a slight chance of it still being Algeria.
Things would have got far tougher for England in the event that they could only finish as runners-up, as, with the way things unfolded later in the night, that would have meant a showdown with Portugal in Toronto on Friday night after a goalless draw with Colombia saw Cristiano Ronaldo and Co finish as runners-up in Group K.
However, DR Congo did end up beating Uzbekistan in Atlanta, bouncing back from Eldor Shomurodovâs early goal to run out 3-1 winners thanks to a brace from Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa and a goal by Fiston Mayele.
Star man: Newcastleâs Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta
Getty
They will remain in Atlanta now to meet England, with that game taking place at 5pm BST on Wednesday (July 1).
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Englandâs potential route to the World Cup final could now include co-hosts Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, if the tournament pans out as expected on paper.
However, they wonât be overlooking a first-ever meeting with DR Congo, who are appearing at the World Cup for only the second time and first since 1974 as Zaire, holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opener before only being edged out 1-0 by Colombia.
Their squad also contains the likes of West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki of Sunderland, Burnleyâs Axel Tuanzebe, former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba, ex-West Ham man Arthur Masuaku and Real Betis forward Cedric Bakambu, plus Watfordâs Edo Kayembe, ex-Reading and Aston Villa midfielder Aaron Tshibola and one-time Chelsea starlet Gael Kakuta.
They will be full of confidence after reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time having not picked up a single point and lost 9-0 on their only previous appearance on the global stage 52 years ago, edging out both Jamaica and Nigeria in the play-offs to get to North America after finishing second behind Senegal in qualifying.
DR Congo are two-time Africa Cup of Nations winners who finished fourth in 2023 and reached the last 16 earlier this year before losing 1-0 to Algeria in extra time.
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England have qualified for the World Cup round of 32 as group winners.
The Three Lions went into Saturday nightâs final Group L meeting with Panama in New Jersey needing to either match or better Ghanaâs result against Croatia in Philadelphia to ensure top billing and, theoretically, an easier route through the knockout stages.
It was another laboured first-half performance from Thomas Tuchelâs side in driving rain on a difficult pitch at MetLife Stadium, with Englandâs five changes from their frustrating stalemate with Ghana not initially producing the desired effect as Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Nico OâReilly and Jarell Quansah replaced Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice, Djed Spence and Reece James.
However, they finally broke through Panamaâs stern defences shortly past the hour mark, when Jude Bellingham stuck a leg out beyond his marker to turn home Sakaâs corner.
A second followed just five minutes later as captain Harry Kane overtook Gary Lineker as Englandâs all-time leading World Cup scorer with his 11th finals goal as he headed in Bellinghamâs cross from close range to seal a 2-0 triumph.
It was enough to take first place in Group L, with Ghana losing 2-1 to Croatia courtesy of a late goal from Nikola Vlasic after Petar Sucicâs opener had initially been cancelled out by Derrick Luckassen.
However, plenty of concerns remain for Tuchel, who will be troubled by his teamâs latest defensive lapses in what, on paper at least, was their most straightforward assignment at this World Cup.
Record-breaker: Harry Kane is now Englandâs leading World Cup goalscorer of all time
PA
Who England will face in World Cup last 32
England knew ahead of their meeting with Panama that by clinching top spot in Group L, they would face the third-place team from either Group I, J or K in the newly-created round of 32 at this inaugural expanded 48-team tournament.
If DR Congo beat Uzbekistan in their Group K closer, it would be them in Atlanta on Wednesday. If not, a clash with Senegal loomed instead, with only a slight chance of it still being Algeria.
Things would have got far tougher for England in the event that they could only finish as runners-up, as, with the way things unfolded later in the night, that would have meant a showdown with Portugal in Toronto on Friday night after a goalless draw with Colombia saw Cristiano Ronaldo and Co finish as runners-up in Group K.
However, DR Congo did end up beating Uzbekistan in Atlanta, bouncing back from Eldor Shomurodovâs early goal to run out 3-1 winners thanks to a brace from Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa and a goal by Fiston Mayele.
Star man: Newcastleâs Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta
Getty
They will remain in Atlanta now to meet England, with that game taking place at 5pm BST on Wednesday (July 1).
Read More
England fans remain confident despite âunexcitingâ Panama win
Heathrow and Gatwick flight delays continue after thunderstorms cause chaos
World Cup kick-off times today and how to watch South Africa vs Canada
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Discover a hidden island paradise in the Indian Ocean
Englandâs potential route to the World Cup final could now include co-hosts Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, if the tournament pans out as expected on paper.
However, they wonât be overlooking a first-ever meeting with DR Congo, who are appearing at the World Cup for only the second time and first since 1974 as Zaire, holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opener before only being edged out 1-0 by Colombia.
Their squad also contains the likes of West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki of Sunderland, Burnleyâs Axel Tuanzebe, former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba, ex-West Ham man Arthur Masuaku and Real Betis forward Cedric Bakambu, plus Watfordâs Edo Kayembe, ex-Reading and Aston Villa midfielder Aaron Tshibola and one-time Chelsea starlet Gael Kakuta.
They will be full of confidence after reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time having not picked up a single point and lost 9-0 on their only previous appearance on the global stage 52 years ago, edging out both Jamaica and Nigeria in the play-offs to get to North America after finishing second behind Senegal in qualifying.
DR Congo are two-time Africa Cup of Nations winners who finished fourth in 2023 and reached the last 16 earlier this year before losing 1-0 to Algeria in extra time.
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