Jude Bellingham’s performance saw England secure top spot on Saturday night as they defeated Panama in their final World Cup group game at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Jude Bellingham was great against Panama
England beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday night to secure a place at the top of World Cup Group L and an easier place in the last 32.
Once the final group match is determined, the Three Lions will play the top three teams from Group I, J or K. Manager Thomas Tuchel made five changes heading into the game, resting the likes of Declan Rice and Anthony Gordon and giving chances to Morgan Rodgers and Marcus Rashford.
England struggled in the first half and initially struggled to find a way past Panama. But Jude Bellingham’s man-of-the-match performance at 45 seconds into the second did the job. After slotting home from a corner, he expertly teed up Harry Kane to secure England’s victory. The sound of coming home echoed through the stadium at full-time, but the Three Lions’ performance was less than convincing.
thomas tuchel tinkerer
The German entered the match with five changes: Quansah (James), O’Reilly (Spence), Rodgers (Rice), Saka (Madueke) and Rashford (Gordon).
Some of the adjustments were due to injuries, others due to tactical rest. More on Quansah’s blow later, but it’s not very clear what Tuchel learned from other players. Rodgers was largely unknown, while Bukayo Saka’s only highlight was scoring Bellingham’s goal from a corner kick.
The good news is that England will benefit from Rice resting his legs and coming into his first finals fresh.
Thomas Tuchel made a number of changes before the match
Bellingham’s brilliance
Rodgers replacing Rice forced Bellingham into a deeper position, allowing him to have a greater physical impact on the game as a result.
Tackles came flying in from the 22-year-old who seemed to be everywhere. When Rashford lost the ball trying to take on two players, it was Bellingham who got it back.
He showed skill and control under pressure, often getting out of situations or drawing fouls. Pickford whipped in a cross and he beat it, turning both men inside and giving his team a free-kick.
In the second half he played on Kane when he really should have done better, sending a shot straight into the keeper’s throat.
But it didn’t take long for Bellingham to do what Kane couldn’t. Bellingham converted Saka’s corner kick to give England a much-needed goal.
He showed his talent soon after. Working hard to create a chance at the end of a long ball, Bellingham’s cross caught Kane and he nodded home.
He will be key to England’s hopes this summer.
Jude Bellingham delivers a true man-of-match performance
No goals in the first half
No goal against Ghana. In the match against Panama, there were no goals in the first half. England, who won four games against Croatia, have really struggled against teams with low blocks.
Panama did not sit as deep as Ghana, but England’s lack of creativity is worrying. He didn’t have the smooth passing or carving up the defense that you would expect. Chance felt like he was giving up on crosses rather than actually making threatening moves. Rashford and Saka tried their best on the wings but the final ball went wide.
England once again had overwhelming possession against their opponents (72.1% in the first half against Panama), but were unable to make any use of it. In fact, England had the same number of shots on target as Panama in their first 45 games.
And that is what England needs to be careful about in this tournament. Panama looked lively during the break, but could be punished if the Three Lions push too hard.
Marcus Rashford started bright but struggled as the day went on
Rashford’s game sums him up
Rashford’s career has shown a lot of promise, but not so many achievements. This game was eerily similar to him.
The Manchester United man got off to a bright start and proved to be a threat on the left. Eight minutes later, he cut inside from his favorite right side and had a good shot saved at the near post. Less than a minute later, he caused trouble again when he brilliantly dropped Guehi’s long ball.
However, as the game progressed his influence waned. Twenty minutes later, he tried to confront the man, but came back empty-handed. His next chance to do something found the defender’s feet in front of him.
A rare headed chance went over the bar and he lifted a cross for a goal kick before half-time. His free kick had a great chance to threaten the goalkeeper, but it fell short.
His luck remained unchanged in the second half. He lost the ball twice in the first two minutes and then gave it away completely. The latter was followed by a groan of a load.
He was huffing and puffing throughout the match, but was unable to offer anything clinically sufficient.
Jarrell Quansah leaves injured in second half
Concerns about injury and being late
England played the game without James, but there is a good chance he will miss the rest of the tournament.
Quansah replaced him at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, but he fell in just the first hour, a painful setback for Tuchel. This leaves Jed Spence as England’s only natural right-back available.
Another solution would be to play a player who has spent time in that position. The Aston Villa star appeared in all of England’s central defenders and looked consistent. It’s a move that Tuchel would definitely dislike and would mean a return to the line-up for John Stones, who was flattered by the deception against Croatia.
This is not the only concern for Tuchel. Panama threatened with several chances in the final stages. England sat back and relaxed a little too much. Panama’s goal was ruled offside and Pickford was sent scrambling after another chance came close.
This is definitely something he will bring to the team by the next game.
England eleven: Pickford, Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly, Anderson, Bellingham, Rodgers, Saka, Kane Rashford.
Panama XI: Mosquera, Andrade, Cordoba, Escobar, Gutierrez, Murillo, Rodriguez, Harvey, Barcenas, Martinez, Rodriguez.
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