Croatia reached the last 32 with a 2-1 win against already-qualified Ghana, while Harry Kane became England's record scorer at World Cups in a 2-0 victory over Panama as they topped Group L on Saturday.
Nikola Vlašić headed in Croatia's winner from a corner on 83 minutes, meaning Croatia leapfrogged Ghana into second spot to secure a meeting with the second-placed team from Group K in Toronto on Thursday.
Ghana finished third, which eliminates Scotland from last 32 contention, and now have a more difficult route through the knock-outs.
Petar Sučić had rifled in from outside the box with a daisy cutter on the half hour for 2018 runners-up Croatia. Derrick Luckassen equalized after tapping in a free-kick for Ghana on 73 minutes and the goal stood after a long video review.
"It was truly brilliant what we showed today," Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said. "We went back to our old set-up, the one we've been using for the past nine years. We did exactly what we wanted and got through the group."
Jude Bellingham was England's saviour after another dour first half, flicking in a corner on 62 and then providing the cross for a Kane header on 67.
The England captain moved on to 11 World Cup goals, one more than previous Three Lions record holder Gary Lineker.
Thomas Tuchel's men next face a third-placed team from another group in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Kit clash
Croatia rang the changes including Sučić and Vlašić entering the starting line-up in overcast Philadelphia, where their mainly white kits clashed at times with Ghana's yellow.
With Luka Modrić looking more like his younger self in his last World Cup, the Croatians did just enough to win and look to have recovered from the 4-2 mauling by England first up.
England were already assured of going through but were keen to secure top spot after the dynamic victory over Croatia was followed by a ponderous 0-0 draw with Ghana.
Tuchel made five changes with Bukayo Saka fit again to start on the right wing, Morgan Rogers coming in for the rested Declan Rice and Jarell Quansah filling in for injured right back Reece James.
Marcus Rashford also replaced Anthony Gordon in New Jersey and Nico O'Reilly came back in to start at left back in place of Djed Spence.
Panama already knew they were going home having lost to Ghana and Croatia, but only 1-0 each time. But they put up more of a fight this time than when losing 6-1 to England at the 2018 tournament.
In rainy conditions - in an odd contrast to boiling England - the Three Lions had first-half chances through Rashford and Saka but Panama always posed a threat at the other end.
The Central Americans were seeking a first-ever World Cup point but ended up as the only team in North America not to score a goal.
Back-to-back Euro runners-up England have been patchy so far and face a major challenge to return to the same stadium near New York for the final on July 19.
"We did what was needed. It was what we expected, a tough match against a physical opponent," Tuchel told ITV. "The tournament starts again now in the knock-outs."
On Bellingham, he said: "Good performance again. We are happy he is in this kind of shape."
As for Kane breaking Lineker's record, Tuchel added, "It is not the end."
