Bellingham the X-factor in England's win v. Panama
Joe Prince-Wright breaks down England's win over Panama to secure first place in Group L with Jude Bellingham providing the cutting edge to beat a sticky Panama side and showed what his impact can be moving forward.
Video Transcript
Okay, some key takeaways from here in New Jersey after England beat Panama 2-0.
It was a bit of a struggle at times, but they won Group L, and that gives them a more favorable route through the knockout rounds.
they're going to Atlanta next on July 1st, so they win that, then to Mexico City.
and the Three Lions are just building their way into this tournament.
But it wasn't prettier today.
Once again, they come up against a stubborn, defensive team, just like they did against Ghana, but then the key takeaway is that Jude Bellingham was the difference.
He was the X factor.
great goal to get England on their way.
Five minutes later, lovely bit of skill to set up Harry Kane for England's second goal.
And just nobody won, more duels, was fouled more, made more tackles, than Jude Bellingham on the pitch today.
He was everywhere, playing that slightly deeper role, and he seemed to really just embrace the re- extra responsibility, just like he did against Croatia when he scored that big goal for England in their group stage opener.
Speaking to some England fans here about him, and they said, "You know, he's our new Wayne Rooney.
There's not really been a player since him that has really taken on the mantle of 'This is my team.
Take it by the scruff of the neck.'"
Of course, Harry Kane scored.
his relationship with Bellingham will be great in finding areas in the box to get on the end of those balls.
But England were just sluggish a little bit, but Bellingham's urgency, that he kind of feels from the fans, that seemed to translate to a lot of his teammates.
And it was a bit better today than the game, against Ghana for England in the final third.
And again, I think everyone's thinking now that they're gonna play against, some top opposition in the knockout rounds.
This may actually suit England a lot better because there'll be more open games, more chances for them.
Defensively, there were still some issues in terms of giving up a lot of big chances on the counterattack, which is something they have to iron out.
But the general feeling from the England fans here is that, "You know what?
It hasn't been perfect, but we won the group."
Thomas Tuchel knows how to navigate cup competitions, and there's players there like Bellingham and Kane that will step up when they're needed, and they did here today in a very rainy New Jersey.
But delighted to say the weather, has got a lot better now, so hopefully that continues.
So head over to Pro Soccer Talk on NBCSports.com for all the latest from here.
We'll have reaction, analysis, and much more, as well as predictions for the round of 32, which is coming up.
And our writers will be based, across lots of games coming up in the knockout round.
So really excited to take you on that journey with us, and England's fans are really excited with the result and winning the group today.
Again, the performance hasn't always been perfect for them.
The likes of France, Argentina, and others are looking like the favorites, but England are in that bracket just underneath.
And as long as they have Bellingham in this kind of form and mood, and Harry Kane as well finishing off chances, then I think they've got a great chance of maybe, maybe just getting back here to this stadium on July 19th in the World Cup final.
So good day for England.
Got the job done.
Great day for Jude Bellingham, underlined his importance to this team, and we'll see what the Three Lions can do next.
