ENGLAND recovered from a shaky start to round off their group stage campaign with a win over Panama.
The victory secured the Three Lions’ spot at the summit of Group L, and booked in a showdown against Senegal in the Round of 32.
Jude Bellingham impressed as he netted a goal and an assist in England’s 2-0 win Credit: Getty
Bukayo Saka looked off the pace ahead of Jarell Quansah on the right flank Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
But it was not all smooth sailing for Thomas Tuchel’s men.
A dreary first half saw Roy Keane compare the side to a now-eliminated Scotland, while imploring England’s biggest players to up the quality.
And they did just that in the second period, though some managed to up their game better than others.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars…
Jordan Pickford – 6
The Everton man’s stop at the near post from Jose Rodriguez just after the first drinks break was smart.
Few hairy moments in possession – as Troy Deeney would claim is so often the case – though none were too serious beyond some wild clearances.
Jarell Quansah – 6
Became the THIRD England right-back to get injured at this tournament, hobbling off after a challenge just before the opener in the second half.
Added aerial presence and impressive speed with recovery runs on his first World Cup appearance but against opponents like this, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery was missed.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Early misjudged header allowed Tomas Rodriguez a rare sight at goal from outside the box, but the Panama man’s tame effort could not make England pay.
Made plenty of clearances and switched possession nicely with some diagonal passes to the flanks.
Marc Guehi – 6
The experiment with John Stones and his sketchy fitness feels over, with Guehi and Konsa looking like Thomas Tuchel’s go-to centre-back pairing now.
And yet it is not a defensive partnership that inspires confidence when/if England face a really top team later in the tournament.
Nico O’Reilly – 6
One of five changes as he came back in for Djed Spence.
Popped up all over the pitch, often in the No10 position, as a modern-day inverted full-back does, but could not flick home Guehi’s clipped pass in the first half.
Elliot Anderson – 7
The soon-to-be Manchester City player was pretty tidy at the base of midfield, and took corners from the left side with Declan Rice on the bench.
With no Rice next to him and a system shift in the middle, the £116million midfielder was asked to do more defensive work than usual.
Jude Bellingham – 8
Our best player on the night, who delivered just when it looked like Panama might do a Ghana and frustrate their way to a draw.
Super finish to break the deadlock, getting his left foot just in front of the defender to put away Bukayo Saka’s corner, before a super assist for Kane’s record-breaker.
Bukayo Saka – 5
First start of the tournament because of his fitness issues but lacked sharpness with his end product – until his corner assist just before he came off.
Seems like he has lost a bit of pace after injuries in recent seasons and struggled to get away from his man when played in by Rogers just before the half hour.
Morgan Rogers – 6
A couple of little tricks and flicks here and there but could not get a grip on the game.
Then again, would have had an assist had Saka had his shooting boots on when playing the Arsenal man in the first half.
Marcus Rashford – 7
On the one hand, looked England’s most threatening player while they were toiling away at 0-0 and certainly far more than Anthony Gordon in the first two games.
On the other, could not put away the number of chances that fell to him.
Harry Kane – 7
Broke Gary Lineker’s record to make it 11 World Cup goals with his outstanding header to make it 2-0.
Has certainly been more involved in other games but who cares when his finishing is as clinical as this. It is 82 goals in 117 caps now for the skipper.
Substitutes:
Noni Madueke (for Saka 64′) – 6
Djed Spence (for Quansah 64′) – 7
Eberechi Eze (for Bellingham 71′) – 6
Jordan Henderson (for Anderson 84′) – 6
Ollie Watkins (for Kane 84′) – 6
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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