England secured top spot in Group L of the 2026 World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Panama at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Second-half goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham confirmed the result, setting up a last-32 knockout match against DR Congo. Meanwhile, Scotland’s campaign ended after failing to secure a path through as one of the best third-placed teams.
How did England secure the top spot?
England manager Thomas Tuchel guided the team to a decisive win after a sluggish start to the tournament. According to ITV News, the breakthrough came in the second half when captain Harry Kane headed home a cross from Jude Bellingham. This goal marked Kane’s 11th in World Cup history, moving him ahead of Gary Lineker as England’s all-time World Cup goalscorer.
Panama maintained pressure throughout the match, forcing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into several saves, including a disallowed goal from Jose Fajardo. Despite the defensive challenges, Tuchel’s side remained disciplined to see out the result. “We will step up, the bigger the games get, the bigger we will get,” Tuchel told reporters following the match.
What is next for the knockout stages?
England is scheduled to face DR Congo in the last-32 round this Wednesday. The African side earned their place in the knockout bracket after a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Atlanta, finishing as one of the best third-placed finishers.
Tuchel cautioned against looking too far ahead in the tournament bracket. “If we get carried away and start talking and thinking about possible round of 16, we will just get punished,” the manager stated. The team must navigate these “difficult” matches to return to MetLife Stadium for the final, which is set for July 19.
Why was Scotland eliminated from the tournament?
Scotland’s exit was confirmed Saturday night following a 2-1 loss for Croatia against Ghana in Philadelphia. Steve Clarke’s squad finished their group stage with three points from nine and a minus-three goal difference. According to match reports, the Scots required a specific combination of favorable results across multiple groups to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams, but those outcomes did not materialize.
Group qualification comparison
| Team | Group Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| England | Group L | Qualified (1st) |
| Scotland | Group C | Eliminated |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who will England play in the next round? England will face DR Congo in the last-32 on Wednesday.
- How many World Cup goals has Harry Kane scored? Harry Kane has scored 11 goals in the World Cup.
- Why did Scotland not qualify? Scotland failed to secure a spot as one of the eight best third-placed teams after earning only three points and suffering a negative goal difference.
Are you following the 2026 World Cup closely? Share your predictions for the last-32 in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for daily tournament updates.
