2026 World Cup: England beat Panama, Croatia defeat Ghana to qualify for round of 32
England and Croatia on Saturday booked their tickets to the knockout stage of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
Goals by Jude Bellingham in the 62nd minute and Harry Kane in the 67th minute gave the Three Lions a 2-0 victory in their final Group L fixture against Panama at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Kane now becomes England’s record World Cup goalscorer with 11 goals, one ahead of former international Gary Lineker.
In the other final game of the group, played at the same time, Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Petar Sučić put Croatia in front in the 31st minute, but Derrick Luckassen drew level for Ghana in the 73rd minute before Nikola Vlašić restored Croatia’s lead in the 83rd minute, and the Croatians held on until the final whistle.
England topped the group with seven points, while Croatia finished second with six points. Ghana, with four points, and Panama, with no point, are out of the tournament.
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