England Confirm Date With DR Congo After Panama Win

England will face DR Congo in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey.

Second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were enough to secure top spot in Group L for the Three Lions, but the match itself wasn’t as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

Panama played their part and troubled Thomas Tuchel’s men at times with their quick counter-attacking, and for some better finishing, could’ve seriously troubled Jordan Pickford in the England goal.

Ultimately, England’s superior class told. First, Bellingham stuck out a leg to divert Bukayo Saka’s corner past Orlanda Mosquera after a frustrating first hour.

And Bellingham turned provider five minutes later, crossing perfectly for Harry Kane to head home his eleventh World Cup goal in an England shirt.

Their reward for winning Group L is a midweek meeting with DR Congo, after the African side came from behind to beat Uzbekistan.

Eldor Shomurodov put Uzbekistan ahead with his side’s only shot on target in the match, after ten minutes, but a Yoane Wissa brace, either side of Fiston Mayele’s flicked finish, secured DR Congo’s historic passage to the knockout stages.

Elsewhere, the final two knockout places were confirmed, as Algeria and Austria played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in Kansas City.

Riyad Mahrez thought he won it in the third minute of injury time when he stroked home his second of the game, but Saša Kalajdžić had the final word three minutes later, with a header that will see his side face Spain in Los Angeles on Thursday.

And the knockout stage gets underway right away, with co-hosts Canada facing South Africa at 8pm UK time tonight.