World Cup: Ruthless England tear Panama apart; knockout ticket punched

Harry Kane netted a hat-trick as rampant England annihilated minnows Panama to secure a spot in the World Cup knockout stages this afternoon.

Kane became only the third ever England player to score a World Cup treble to get the Three Lions roaring. John Stones also grabbed a brace, and Jesse Lingard put in an excellent performance as England blew the Central American’s away in the first half.

The defeat knocks Panama out, whilst England plays Belgium in the final match to decide who wins the group.

Start of dreams for England

England carried on the momentum from the late winner against Tunisia and was exhilarating in the opening period. Panama matched them early on. However, a physical battle from an England corner in the eighth minute involved Gabriel Gomez grabbing Harry Maguire. He wasn’t penalized, but Panama was punished seconds later.

Keiran Trippier impressed again and whipped in a perfect cross for John Stones. The Manchester City defender guided the ball beyond Jaime Penedo to give England the lead. The header was Stones’ first for England, and it was pin-point.

England doubled their lead in the 22nd minute, as Harry Kane scored a penalty. Trippier played an accurate through ball towards Jesse Lingard in the penalty area, and Fidel Escobar applied pressure to bring him down. Despite efforts to put him off, a nerveless Kane stepped up and drilled the penalty high into the top left-hand corner.

The goals just kept on coming

Lingard was terrific in the first half, and he got himself on the score sheet with the goal of the game in the 36th minute. He played a quick one-two with Raheem Sterling and found himself in space from just outside the area. The youngster curled a beautifully finessed effort into the top right-hand corner. That goal had even the most pessimistic fans cheering.

John Stones headed in his second of the afternoon in the 40th minute, and it came straight from the training ground. Trippier took a free kick, centrally, from far out. He slid it gently to Jordan Henderson, who curled the ball towards the back post. Kane nodded it down in the six-yard box to Raheem Sterling, and his header was saved. However, Stones was on the mark to finish the rebound, as he headed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Panama played a dangerous defensive game at set pieces from the start, and this came back to haunt them. Kane was hauled to the floor by Anibal Godoy, and the referee awarded another penalty.

The hitman stepped up again and converted from the spot, after lifting the ball into the same area as the other penalty. Whilst England were clinical and ruthless in the first half, Panama was amateurish defensively, and gifted them opportunities.