England beats Panama to clinch round‑of‑16 spot at 2026

Panama suffers 0‑2 defeat to England and is eliminated

The Panamanian side fell 0‑2 to England at MetLife Stadium on June 27, 2026, sealing their exit from the World Cup group stage. Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ended any hope of progression, while Panama had already been knocked out after the loss to Uruguay.

What happened in the match?

England dominated possession from the first whistle. The opening goal arrived in the 62nd minute when Bellingham received a cross from Bukayo Saka and struck with his left foot, sending the ball into the net. Five minutes later, Kane doubled the lead after a collective move that finished with his powerful shot. Panama tried to respond, but attempts by Ismael Mosquera and Cristian Martínez hit the post.

How does the loss affect Panama?

With the defeat, Panama finishes last in Group J‑3, with zero points and a –2 goal difference. The early elimination leaves the team with no chance to continue in the tournament, forcing the coaching staff to rethink their approach for the next qualifying cycle. Captain Aníbal Godoy said the squad needs to work on defense and finishing.

What’s next for the national team?

The next challenge will be the qualification phase for the 2030 World Cup, where Panama aims to improve its performance. Meanwhile, coach Thomas Christiansen will assess players who showed promise, such as young forward Quintero, who came on in the 88th minute.

Fans can follow upcoming call‑ups and training sessions via the official Panamanian Football Federation channels.