Kane record helps England top Group L

Harry Kane (R) of England shoots during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

NEW JERSEY, United States, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Harry Kane became England's all-time leading World Cup scorer as Thomas Tuchel's side beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday to finish top of Group L.

Jude Bellingham broke Panama's resistance with a 62nd-minute strike before Kane headed in his 11th World Cup goal, surpassing the record he shared with Gary Lineker.

The result left England with seven points, one ahead of Croatia, which secured second spot in the group. Panama was eliminated after losing all three of its group matches.

Panama took less than a minute to threaten at New York New Jersey Stadium when Tomas Rodriguez collected a long ball before drawing a routine save from Jordan Pickford.

England responded shortly after as Marcus Rashford found space on the edge of the area, but Orlando Mosquera held his low drive at the near post.

Rashford continued to trouble Panama's defense, earning a corner after another direct run into the box.

Bellingham then picked out Bukayo Saka with a diagonal pass, and the winger burst into the area before seeing his shot from a tight angle saved by Mosquera.

Kane also went close, his volley from a free kick blocked by Edgar Yoel Barcenas before spinning behind for a corner.

Rashford remained England's main attacking outlet and headed over from a right-wing cross in the 37th minute.

The Barcelona forward went close to breaking the deadlock before halftime, bending a 20-yard free kick around the wall and just beyond the right post.

Kane became increasingly influential after the restart. The Bayern Munich striker tried to toe-poke in from six yards but was beaten to the ball by Jose Cordoba, whose clearance narrowly flew over the bar after taking a deflection. Mosquera tipped Kane's rising drive to safety moments later.

Rashford was a constant threat and he left three defenders in his wake as he dashed into the box before firing into the side netting.

England finally found the breakthrough just after the hour when Bellingham outpositioned his marker to volley home Saka's corner.

The Real Madrid midfielder then turned provider, finding space on the left flank and whipping in a cross that Kane nodded past Mosquera.

Panama refused to surrender and substitute Ismael Diaz twice came close to reducing the deficit, first heading over from Cordoba's cross before shooting wide with only Pickford to beat. But England held on to complete an unbeaten group-stage campaign.

Jude Bellingham (R) of England vies with Tomas Rodriguez of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Harry Kane (2nd R) of England celebrates a goal during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Ezri Konsa (C) of England vies with Jose Luis Rodriguez (R) of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Players of England celebrate a goal during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Jude Bellingham (front) of England vies with Jose Cordoba of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Elliot Anderson (R) of England vies with Jose Luis Rodriguez (C) of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Marcus Rashford (R) of England breaks through during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Marcus Rashford (top R) of England jumps for a header against Amir Murillo (top L) of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Ezri Konsa (R) of England vies with Edgar Yoel Barcenas of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Marc Guehi (R) of England vies with Cristian Martinez of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Jude Bellingham (L) of England vies with Carlos Harvey of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Morgan Rogers of England breaks through during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Ezri Konsa (L) of England vies with Jose Fajardo of Panama during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Harry Kane (2nd L) of England scores during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Fans cheer for team England after the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Jose Fajardo (L) of Panama competes during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Harry Kane (L) of England competes during the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Players of England greet the audience after the group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, the United States, June 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)