England secured the top spot in Group L after a 2-0 victory over Panama, though the performance was far from convincing, according to The Guardian.
In the other group match, Croatia took second place by defeating Ghana 2-1, while the African team advanced in third.
Tuchel Makes Changes
Manager Thomas Tuchel made five changes to the lineup that drew 0-0 with Ghana.
Reece James missed out due to injury, and Declan Rice was rested, allowing Jarell Quansah and Morgan Rogers to enter the squad.
Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, and Djed Spence dropped to the bench, giving Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford their first starts, while Nico O’Reilly returned to the starting eleven.
England controlled the opening minutes.
Rashford cut inside and delivered a low shot that forced Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera to parry the ball wide.
Panama relied heavily on counter-attacks but struggled to maintain possession.
Amid soggy conditions, a hydration break was met with boos from the crowd as Tuchel animatedly spoke to his players.
Panama threatened immediately after the interval when José Luis Rodríguez exploited space left by Quansah, forcing a low save from Jordan Pickford.
Rashford remained active, heading over from an Elliot Anderson cross and curling a free-kick wide in stoppage time during a goalless first half.
Early in the second half, Anderson lost possession on the touchline, allowing Rodríguez to drive toward the penalty area and unleash a curling shot that went close to the target.
Harry Kane tested Mosquera with a powerful strike from the inside-right channel before Tuchel prepared to alter his lineup.
During the transition, Quansah tangled with Rodríguez, received a yellow card, and had to limp off due to injury.
England opened the scoring while temporarily down to 10 players as Spence waited to substitute on.
Saka delivered a corner kick, and Jude Bellingham turned the ball in with his left foot from the edge of the six-yard box.
Panama nearly equalized immediately when Michael Murillo found space against a retreating English defense, but he hit his shot wide.
England capitalized on the error quickly when Bellingham found space down the left wing, waited for support, and crossed for Kane to head home from close range.
Despite looking vulnerable defensively, England held on as Tuchel introduced Eberechi Eze, Ollie Watkins, and Jordan Henderson.
Panama saw a late goal by José Fajardo disallowed for a tight offside call, leaving Tuchel visibly displeased on the sideline.
