Group L wrap: England claim top spot ahead of Croatia, as Ghana sneak through in third

Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock with a fine strike after 62 minutes and Harry Kane sealed the win with his effort just five minutes later - to become England's record World Cup goalscorer.

The Three Lions were unconvincing in the first half, as head coach Thomas Tuchel altered his line-up again, with Bukayo Saka coming in for Noni Madueke on the right flank as Marcus Rashford replaced Anthony Gordon on the left wing.

Morgan Rogers took the number 10 role as Bellingham was deployed deeper with Declan Rice left out.

There was also a first start for Jarell Quansah following an injury to Reece James, but he was forced off himself in the second half with an injury and replaced with Djed Sence.  

Bellingham was England brightest player and finished superbly after connecting to a Saka corner.

The Real Madrid man then teed up Kane with a perfect cross for his 82nd goal in 117 appearances.

England will face DR Congo in the last 32 in Atlanta as Panama head home from the World Cup with three losses.

After the game, Tuchel admitted to be concerned by the injury to Quansah.

"A classic ankle twist and he is in pain," Tuchel said on BBC. "He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.

"Naturally of course [I am worried about the right-back situation] - we have another injury in the position.

"It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do."

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said he would take time to consider his future as manager after being eliminated from the World Cup without scoring a goal.

He said on FlashScore: "I need time to analyse all that has happened, the six years in Panama.

"I have to talk to many people, especially my family who has suffered because of my absence.

"Panama has been very strong in defence but you have to remember which teams we were playing. Today was particularly difficult, it was tough, England pressed intensely."

Christiansen has overseen 94 matches in charge of Panama, winning 45 and losing 27.

Crotia recorded a 2-1 victory over Ghana in their final Group L encounter to secure second place.

Zlatko Dalic's side needed to avoid defeat against the Black Stars to be sure of a place in the knockout stages and were in the driving season on 31 minutes at the Philadelphia Stadium as Petar Sucic opened the scoring.

Derrick Luckassen levelled with his 73rd minute goal, but Nikola Vlasic secured an 83rd minute winner.

The result saw Croatia move onto six points, one behind England and two ahead of Ghana, on four points in third place.

Croatia's prize is a last 32 clash with Portugal, while Ghana are paired to take on Colombia.

The result also meant that Scotland's hopes of sneaking into the last 32 were ended.

A delighted Dalic said: "I would like to congratulate the players for going to the knockout stage. It was a difficult match, but I ?think Croatia played ?an excellent match in a tactical sense and positioned itself well.

"I think we're back to where we were, like eight years ago. But that's again a small step to achieve the first objective, to go to the knockout stage."

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz, meanwhile, hit out at the expanded tournament, saying: "I believe that value comes when things are rare.

"The number of teams that can qualify for this competition can turn it into something vulgar and ordinary. When so many teams can qualify, is the value still rare?

"That would seem debatable to me, but it is only my opinion."

This is Queiroz fifth World Cup finals, having previously managed Portugal, Iran, on three occasions, and now Ghana.

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