World Cup 2026 Player of the Day - Day 17: Bellingham Bails England Out to Reach Last 32

Jude Bellingham was involved in both goals as England saw off a stubborn Panama side to seal top spot in Group L at the World Cup 2026.

England’s number 10 produced a man-of-the-match performance in New Jersey, breaking the deadlock just after the hour mark then setting up Harry Kane for the second goal just five minutes later.

For the second time at this World Cup, England found the net from a corner, and Bellingham’s finish was one of typically top quality: marked tightly, the Real Madrid star hooked it into the corner left-footed to take his tally to two for the tournament – and five at major tournaments overall.

Bellingham shone again as Kane doubled England’s lead, delivering a pinpoint cross from the left for the Three Lions captain to head home and move to 11 World Cup goals – surpassing Gary Lineker as his country’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.

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At the heart of much of England’s attacking endeavour, Bellingham created a match-high four chances – two of them big chances – and completed more dribbles than anyone else on the pitch (three).

Speaking at full-time, the 22-year-old was satisfied with England’s tournament so far but stressed the need to push on. He said: “We had the goal in mind before the start of the tournament that we wanted to take it in sections. We've achieved our first objective, which was to win the group.

“We know what level we are at and what we want to achieve and we did in the second half. Every day we have to try to improve and it's up to us to do that.”

England are back in action on Wednesday when they face DR Congo in Atlanta in the Round of 32.

READ MORE: Round-of-32 Fixtures, Bracket and Route to the Final