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England battle to victory over stubborn Panama to progress as group winners
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- England battle to victory over stubborn Panama to progress as group winners
Harry Kane became England 's all-time World Cup goalscorer as Thomas Tuchel's side overcame well-drilled Panama to progress to the knockout stage as group winners.
Having gone from the thrill-a-minute victory against Croatia to a dour draw with Ghana , the back-to-back European Championship finalists overcame a sluggish start to win Saturday's match at MetLife Stadium.
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England were already guaranteed of a place in the knockout phase following Friday's fixtures and wrapped up top spot in Group L with a 2-0 triumph that sets up a last-32 tie against a third-placed side on Wednesday.
The Democratic Republic of Congo await in Atlanta after a day when Jude Bellingham 's breakthrough was swiftly followed by a smart header from captain Kane.
Harry Kane (left) became England's leading scorer at World Cups (Bradley Collyer/PA)
The 32-year-old scored a hat-trick when these sides met at this stage in 2018 and moved clear of Gary Lineker as England's highest scoring player at a World Cup by nodding home his 11th goal.
Bigger tests are to follow and vast improvements are required if they are to return to MetLife Stadium for the final on July 19, but Tuchel's men have successfully cleared the first hurdle.
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The England boss warned his side would face a "complex" challenge against another low block and so it proved as Panama started with intent and a solid base.
Tomas Rodriguez 's hopeful effort from distance saw them match Ghana's number of shots on target from Boston within 10 seconds of kick-off and Thomas Christiansen's side held firm during a purposeful start.
Marcus Rashford , one of five changes from Tuesday, saw an excellent low strike saved by Orlando Mosquera having confidently cut in from the left, with Panama's goalkeeper soon denying Bukayo Saka .
England fans watching in London celebrate Harry Kane's goal (Steven Paston/PA)
The Arsenal winger, making his first start of the summer after overcoming an Achilles issue, saw an effort blocked at the end of a lovely team move before boos greeted a needless hydration break in the rain.
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Tuchel attempted to lift his team but they made a sluggish return to action and Jordan Pickford was forced into a save after Jose Luis Rodriguez was able to get a snapshot away.
Panama maintained a threat and defended their box well, with Rashford heading narrowly over before seeing a stoppage-time free-kick curl around the wall and just wide.
England went into the break in second spot after Croatia took the lead against Ghana, with assistant Anthony Barry calling for synchronicity to match their talent.
There was certainly a higher tempo, with Kane adjudged to have committed a foul as Panama saw the ball ricochet just over their own goal before Rashford struck the side-netting.
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Play was opening up and, after the concerning sight of Rodriguez bending off target, Kane had an effort denied by Mosquera.
There was concern as Jarell Quansah , playing at right-back after Reece James ' hamstring injury compounded the withdrawal of Tino Livramento , limped off but the mood was lifted in the 62nd minute.
Saka's final contribution before being replaced was sending over a corner that Bellingham managed to get a toe to under pressure, poking it home to break the deadlock.
The relief was palpable and another goal swiftly followed by a smart header from captain Kane.
Quansah's injury was a concern for England (Martin Rickett/PA)
Bellingham showed great skill and timing as he clipped over a cross for Kane to head home a record-breaking goal in the 67th minute.
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England relaxed a little too much after that and Pickford bellowed at those in front of him as substitute Ismael Diaz proved a handful.
Team-mates were wasteful in front of goal at the other end, with Rashford mishitting an attempt and Noni Madueke was denied before Jose Fajardo's goal on the break was ruled out for offside.
Eberechi Eze saw an effort deflected wide before the final whistle sparked songs and celebrations.
