Jude Bellingham leads England past Panama with a 9.3-rated display

Jude Bellingham delivered the sort of game that settles debate quickly. He finished England's 2-0 win over Panama with a 9.3 rating, a goal, an assist and a stack of team-leading numbers that made him the clear standout in Panama vs England.

He played 71 minutes. In that time, he opened the scoring in the 62nd minute and then set up Harry Kane five minutes later. On the raw attacking output alone, it was already a very strong afternoon.

Bellingham's all-action numbers

The detail that really lifts it is how broad his influence was. Bellingham ended the match with the most ground duels contested, 17, the most ground duels won, 11, the most tackles, 4, the most fouls won, 4, the most chances created, 4, the most take-ons attempted, 4, and the most take-ons completed, 3.

That is the profile England want from him when the game becomes physical and a bit messy. He was not just arriving in the right place to score or assist, he was driving the game in and out of possession.

Thomas Tuchel called the impact from Bellingham and Kane "Huge impact" and added, "That's what we need, that's what we want... that's why expectations are high". Panama manager Thomas Christiansen was even more direct, saying: "That is just the quality of Jude Bellingham".

England's bigger picture after Panama

Bellingham was quick to frame the win as one step in the bigger plan. He told goal.com: "First job achieved. We came here to do it in sections. We got through the pre-camp games really well and now we have achieved that first objective, which was to get through the group and top it as well. We have got to try and improve every game and it's up to us to do that."

He also said the assist for Kane pleased him most, calling the combination play "a good combination of play" and praising Kane's leadership and quality. That fits the way Bellingham talked about his role elsewhere, too, saying he plays differently for Real Madrid and is more advanced for England.

The performance was the headline, but England's next step is still the same one Tuchel pointed to after the match: keep improving. They have topped the group, and the last-32 tie with DR Congo is next on the schedule.