Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC One

Bellingham was the star of the show. We said before the tournament started what he could bring to England, he is a Real Madrid player and it comes with a lot of pressure, and he performs for England. Who else?

For the first goal, there was nothing in the game at that moment, and when you need someone to step up, he is that guy. He performs so well all of the time.

England

England goalscorer Jude Bellingham, talking to ITV Sport, said: "First job achieved. We came here to do it in sections and we got through the pre-games well and we achieved the first job - we got through the group and won it.

"We know what level we are at and what we want to achieve and we did in the second half. Every day we have to try to improve and it's up to us to do that."

Image source, Getty Images

England

Image source, Getty Images

England manager Thomas Tuchel was keen to be positive after the victory against Panama on Saturday confirmed the Three Lions as Group L winners: "It was hard work. We were ready for that. I said we so often get carried away with our expectations and what we demand of ourselves.

"We demanded to win the group, and this is the day we did this. I encouraged everyone to enjoy it and take it in.

"We are at the World Cup. We won the group. I know our expectations. I know our dream. I know we can do better, but everyone who pushed and the players and staff deserves to go to the plane with a smile."

"I just want to make actions that are going to hurt the opposition as much as I can when I am on the pitch so I will continue with that mindset."

Talk about a positive mental attitude. Marcus Rashford's words must be music to the ear of Thomas Tuchel who was also preaching positivity after England's 2-0 win against Panama...

England

More from England winger Marcus Rashford speaking to BBC Sport: "It is always good to be in a winning environment. Two trophies for me this year at Barcelona so it was a good year in the end and I went there to try and win and help the team and I feel like I did that. I was pleased with how the season went. A little bit stop-start in the back end of the season.

"I am happy, I am grateful and I am just happy to try and give my best performances in an England shirt.

"I still think it is not quite my best level and I can be much more of a threat. I just try and be positive and play forward passes and try to link the play on that side. Ultimately, I just want to make actions that are going to hurt the opposition as much as I can when I am on the pitch so I will continue with that mindset."

Image source, Getty Images

England

England winger Marcus Rashford speaking to BBC Sport: "It's always a special moment to put on an England shirt in any game but to come to a World Cup and get through the group, it's a great achievement.

"Now we need to push ourselves every three days and sometimes I find that easier, because it is more what we are doing at club and hopefully we take it in our stride.

"I just try and do my best with whatever minutes I am playing and today I am happy to start but more importantly I am happy to win the points and help the team in a positive way."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at New York New Jersey Stadium

Marcus Rashford finally got his chance to press his claim ahead of Anthony Gordon and did enough to suggest Thomas Tuchel should keep faith with the Manchester United forward, who had a successful loan spell at Barcelona last season.

Rashford was England's dangerman in the first half and also had opportunities after the break, although he was sometimes let down by a lack of support and some wayward finishing.

"We tried and tried. Marcus was just unlucky," said Tuchel. "He is pushing and pushing like always. Every time I bring him on, he is super reliable.

"Everyone is trying. I'm not upset with players who try. You need a bit of luck, you need momentum and we will get there."

They were words that suggested Rashford will get another chance against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Image source, Getty Images

If we are looking for another England positive - and someone who seems to be stepping forward to "embrace the moment", as Ady puts it - then how about the form of Marcus Rashford?

England

England captain Harry Kane, speaking to ITV Sport, said: "A solid performance against a tricky side. The way they play, they have some fast players, some tricky players and they can cause you problems but overall we controlled it well. We got better in the second half, we took our chances and it became a bit of a basketball match, but overall a good win."

On Jude Bellingham: "Another top performance from Jude. He looks fit and sharp and like he is able to go out there and prove to the world what type of player he is - and he showed that again. He put in non-stop effort, running, tackling, tracking back and that's the kind of player you want. He is fantastic running with the ball and without, making runs from deep and he is strong physically. He is a fantastic player, all around, and wherever he plays he is effective for sure, and he was today."

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

On Harry Kane becoming England's all-time top goalscorer at World Cups.

Just incredible. He's a staggering goalscorer. The standards that he's set and the standards he hits week in, week out, he's just incredible and deserves everything.

He's not going anywhere. He's coming into this tournament of the back of 61 goals for his club which is just staggering. When I first started in the late 80s, early 90s, if you got 20 a season that was impressive. These guys now, and Harry is one of them, are taking goalscoring to different levels. He's an incredible professional and deserves it all.

I am sure every England fan hopes the same Harry!

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Harry Kane broke Gary Lineker's record to become England's all-time leading World Cup scorer when he struck during Saturday's 2-0 win against Panama.

The Three Lions captain doubled his side's lead when he headed home superbly from Jude Bellingham's cross in the second half.

The goal took Kane's overall World Cup tally to 11 goals, surpassing Lineker's total of 10.

"It is a proud one for sure," Kane told BBC Sport.

"I spoke before the tournament about the World Cup being the biggest competition we play as professional footballers, so to get to 11 goals is a proud feeling.

"It is always hard to take in. I just want to enjoy this moment with the team, enjoy being top of the table.

"I never take these moments for granted. Another good milestone to hit, and I hope it is not the last one in this tournament."

So the form of Jude Bellingham is one tick for England.

Harry Kane scoring goals has become a given for the Three Lions, but are we in danger of taking the skipper for granted?

He added another to his record England tally in their 2-0 win against Panama, becoming the country's leading scorer at the World Cup finals in the process...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at New York New Jersey Stadium

England head coach Thomas Tuchel needed a game-changer in a dour struggle against Panama, after his side had played three goalless halves in succession at the World Cup.

And it was Jude Bellingham who took on the role, with quality and sheer force of will, to drag England out of a situation where, at one point, they were second in their group behind Croatia.

Bellingham pushed forward in the first half, along with the recalled Morgan Rogers, which occasionally left Elliot Anderson isolated in midfield and England vulnerable on the break.

It paid dividends, however, just after the hour when he stretched his leg around Panama's Jorge Gutierrez to force a finish past keeper Orlando Mosquera.

And Bellingham made another decisive contribution with the cross for Kane, as the Real Madrid star rose to the challenge of lifting England out of mediocrity and to the top of their group.

On that note Wale, let's focus on those England positives we promised...