Online Reporter
ENGLAND ground out top spot in Group L after eventually seeing off a stubborn Panama side on Saturday night, though Thomas Tuchel’s team showed there is further work needed to be true FIFA World Cup contenders.
After launching their title bid with a chaotic but thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia, England found life far tougher against lower-ranked opponents Ghana and Panama.
Until Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock an hour into the 2-0 win over Panama, England looked in danger of surrendering top spot and complicating their route back to New Jersey for the final on July 19.
It was never going to be easy for a team desperate to end 60 years of disappointment, but questions abound about England’s staying power in North America.
“We had the goal in mind before the start of the tournament that we wanted to take it in sections. We’ve achieved our first objective, which was to win the group,” said Bellingham.
“You want to try and craft your way through the tournament as best as possible. We’ve done that by winning today.”
However, topping the group is hardly an achievement for a side that have reached the last two Europe-an Championship finals and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Bellingham has ended any pre-tournament conversation over his place in the team, as England’s stand-out performer in the group stage.
The Real Madrid midfielder knows the team must step it up though as a last-32 meeting awaits with the Democratic Republic of Congo, before a potential showdown at the Estadio Azteca with co-hosts Mexico.
“We have to go through all the best teams, all the teams that deserve to be in the next round,” said Bellingham. — AFP Sport.
