The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end, and it is now time to move on to the serious business.

There is absolutely no time to catch a breather, though, with the first round-of-32 clash set to begin later today, but the group stage has already provided a lot of entertainment.

Real Madrid players have been attracting attention at this World Cup repeatedly, and last night was no different.

England faced Panama after their 0-0 draw against Ghana and secured an important 2-0 win to establish themselves as group winners.

Jude Bellingham featured for the Three Lions on the night and had a very good game, contributing with a goal and an assist and looking solid even otherwise.

Elsewhere, Bernardo Silva was the only other Real Madrid player who could have been involved last night, but Roberto Martinez kept him as an unused substitute.

Portugal did not have a great game against Colombia, with the South American side the better of the two on the night, and having Bernardo might have given them more control.

With Bellingham the only Madrid representative last night, here is how he fared against Panama.

Jude Bellingham vs Panama

Jude Bellingham needed this kind of night, and so did England.

After a flat draw against Ghana and a difficult first half against Panama, the Real Madrid midfielder took control of the game in the second half.

The breakthrough arrived in the 62nd minute, with Bellingham finishing after Bukayo Saka found him in space.

Five minutes later, he turned provider, setting up Harry Kane for England’s second goal.

That sequence changed the whole tone of the match. Until then, Panama had defended deep, stayed compact and made England look short of ideas. Bellingham broke it open.

His numbers backed up the impact.

Bellingham finished with two shots, four key passes, two big chances created, 68 touches, 37 completed passes from 43 and 11 duels won before leaving the pitch in the 71st minute.

Bellingham was not just arriving in the box. He was competing, recovering, carrying and connecting. That all-round profile is why Madrid value him so highly.

There had been some noise around him after England’s earlier performances, but this was a strong response.

Bellingham received a lot of criticism after the Ghana game for his attitude and his tendency to get into altercations with opponents.

There were also suggestions that he should have been sent off after covering his mouth while talking to a Ghana player.

All this chatter may have affected another player, but not the Englishman, whose mentality saw him answer his critics on the pitch last night.

Big players do not always need perfect team displays around them. Sometimes they just need one half-hour to bend the match back towards them.

Bellingham looks sharper, more influential and more comfortable taking responsibility as the tournament moves into the knockout rounds.

England may still have questions to answer, but Bellingham has already reminded everyone why he is central to their hopes.