Panama were the only team yet to score at the WC before kick-off, but they almost gave England a scare inside the opening few seconds when Jordan Pickford was required to get behind Jose Luis Rodriguez’s strike.
The Three Lions took control from there, and Orlando Mosquera did well to push away Marcus Rashford’s effort as well as holding Bukayo Saka’s shot at his near post.
Pickford had to be alert again to parry away another Rodriguez strike on the counter, yet the best chance of the first half fell to Rashford, who headed Elliot Anderson’s cross over at the near post. The half concluded with Rashford curling a free-kick just wide ahead of the interval, ultimately leaving England frustrated again.
Both teams missed decent opportunities early in the second half, with Rodriguez again posing a threat for Panama as he broke through midfield and curled wide, before Harry Kane opted for power when sent through as the ball stung Mosquera’s palms.
Just after the hour mark, England finally found the breakthrough via an outswinging corner from Saka, which was volleyed into the bottom corner by Jude Bellingham for his second goal of the tournament.
The Three Lions’ second came shortly after through another familiar source in Kane, who headed home Morgan Rogers’ cross to become England’s outright all-time top scorer at WC finals.
Panama did their best to respond through substitute Ismael Diaz, who headed over before a second effort deflected narrowly past the near post.
And they were briefly celebrating in stoppage time when Jose Fajardo slotted past Pickford in a one-on-one, only for it to be disallowed for a marginal offside. As such, a goal at this WC for Los Canaleros ultimately escaped them as they finished bottom of the group, having lost all six WC matches to date.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel brings up his 13th win in 17 games in charge (D2, L2), and can now turn his attention to the Round of 32, with dreams of ending England’s 60 years of hurt still alive and well.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jude Bellingham (England)