England Must Fix These Two Major Problems Before the World Cup Knockouts

England topped Group L after beating Panama 2–0, finishing the opening phase unbeaten and earning a Round-of-32 meeting with DR Congo in Atlanta. Jude Bellingham scored before creating Harry Kane’s record-breaking 11th World Cup goal.

The result concealed two increasingly serious problems: England struggle to manufacture space around the opposition penalty area, yet allow too much of it around their own. Both weaknesses must be corrected now that one poor performance can end the tournament.