The English national football team escaped a Panama trap and achieved a lackluster 2-0 victory, securing first place in Group 12 at dawn on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on the third and final matchday of the first round of the World Cup. The "Three Lions" squad owes its victory—which keeps it away from the path of Portugal and Spain in the upcoming rounds—to Real Madrid's Spanish league forward Jude Bellingham, who opened the scoring in the 62nd minute and set up the second for England's all-time leading scorer in the finals, Harry Kane (67), raising his tally to 11 goals, one behind Gary Lineker, including 3 in the current edition. England, which had already guaranteed its qualification to the round of 32, raised its tally to 7 points at the top of the group and set up a meeting in the next round against Senegal or the third-placed team of Group 11 in Atlanta on July 1st, while Panama suffered its third consecutive defeat and was already out of contention before the match. Croatia - Ghana In the same group, Croatia qualified to the round of 32 by defeating Ghana 2-1 in Philadelphia. Petar Sučić (31) and Nikola Vlašić (83) scored for Croatia, while Derrick Luckassen (73) scored for Ghana, bringing Croatia's tally to 6 points in second place in the group, one point behind group leaders England, who simultaneously won against Panama 2-0. At Lincoln Financial Field and in front of 68,000 spectators, Jordan Ayew played his ninth match for Ghana in the World Cup. He is surpassed only by Asamoah Gyan (11) and his brother André Ayew (10) in terms of number of appearances. In contrast, after reaching 200 international caps with his country's national team in the last match, Luka Modrić made his 22nd appearance in World Cup finals. The other veteran, Ivan Perišić, also played his 21st match in the tournament. Argentina - Jordan The Jordanian national team exited empty-handed in its historic first participation in the FIFA World Cup finals, following a third defeat against defending champions Argentina 1-3 at dawn on Sunday in Dallas, in a match where Lionel Messi scored his 19th World Cup goal, as part of the third round of the first stage. Argentina, seeking to become the third team to win the title twice in a row, achieved a maximum points tally in Group 10, where Austria finished as runner-up on goal difference ahead of Algeria after they drew 3-3. Argentina had set up a meeting in the round of 32 with the Cape Verde national team. Messi, the captain of the "Albiceleste", became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches by netting his third goal of the match after coming on as a substitute (80), following goals by Giovani Lo Celso (19) and Lautaro Martínez (31 from a penalty kick), while substitute Mousa Al-Tamari scored Jordan's only goal (55). Algeria - Austria In the same group, the Algerian national team booked its ticket to the round of 32 by drawing 3-3 with its Austrian counterpart—who has also qualified—on Saturday following a match that witnessed a thrilling finish. Rafik Belghali (45) and Riyad Mahrez (60 and 90+3) scored Algeria's goals, while Austria's goals were signed by Marko Arnautović (28), Marcel Sabitzer (55), and substitute Sasa Kalajdzic (90+6). Algeria raised its tally to four points in third place, reaching the knockout stages through the gateway of the best eight third-placed teams, thereby setting up a meeting with Switzerland in the round of 32 next Thursday in Vancouver. In contrast, Austria also raised its tally to four points in second place on goal difference behind Algeria, and will face Spain in the round of 32 also on Thursday in Inglewood. Colombia - Portugal Colombia forced a 0-0 draw against Portugal and surpassed it to take the lead of Group 11 at dawn on Saturday in Miami. After both teams previously secured their qualification, Colombia raised its tally to 7 points, compared to 5 for Portugal and 4 for DR Congo, which booked its qualification ticket by beating Uzbekistan 3-1. The match witnessed great competitiveness and a fierce struggle for the group leadership, which grants its holder a match against Ghana in the round of 32 in Kansas, and a potential encounter against Switzerland in the round of 16. In contrast, if Portugal overcomes a strong Croatia in Toronto, it will have to face a potential, highly difficult matchup against European champions Spain in the round of 16. DR Congo - Uzbekistan The DR Congo national team booked its seat in the round of 32 for the first time in its history after turning a one-goal deficit against Uzbekistan into a 3-1 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the American city of Atlanta, as part of the final matchday of Group 11 fixtures. The Uzbek team advanced through a goal by its captain Eldor Shomurodov (10), but the Congolese team turned the tables in the second half thanks to its star Yoane Wissa (68 from a penalty kick and 90+1) and substitute Fiston Mayele (78). The team of French coach Sébastien Desabre raised its tally, after achieving the first World Cup victory in its history, to four points in third place, securing its advance to the round of 32 for the first time in its second World Cup participation (the first was in Germany 1974 under the name Zaire). The "Leopard" squad will face a very difficult test in the round of 32 against England in Atlanta next Wednesday.