Match Summary

England Team

Panama Team

The England players knew that if they could win this second match in their group they would be through to the last sixteen with a match to spare.  What transpired could not possibly have been forecast by even the most fervent England supporter.  The game had a sedate opening with England probing and Panama sitting back.  Immediately a half-chance was created, although Jesse Lingard was injured in the process, slapped in the face by a defender’s flailing arm.  Free-kicks were given against England as the Panamanians went down at every opportunity, and a bad pass almost gave the "Hat-men" a chance.  (Is that their nickname, I don’t know?)

In the eighth minute England won a corner through Kieran Trippier.  Once again we saw the Panama defenders grabbing and jostling the England forwards and it took an age to take the corner as the referee repeatedly warned the various defenders.  When the kick was eventually taken, John Stones roared into space to meet the ball perfectly and guide a superb header into the far corner.  It was a great goal and the England players were jubilant.  Panama hit back and a couple of sloppy passes by England again created needless problems for themselves.  One cross from the right was particularly dangerous and only a magnificent interception by Kyle Walker saved embarrassment.  Lingard was given some rough treatment early on and Armando Cooper was booked for one challenge on the Manchester United youngster.

It did become a little monotonous, how often a Panama player went down, and unfortunately the referee bought it every time, giving free-kicks against England.  On 16 minutes Edgar Barcenas fired in a good shot, but wide.  Three minutes later and England were in seventh heaven as a long pass was sent forward to Lingard and as he shaped to shoot he was bundled over from behind by Fidel Escobar, penalty!  At last a right decision goes England’s way and was there any doubt Harry Kane would score?  None whatsoever, 2-0!

Reuben Loftus-Cheek was booked for one innocuous challenge and there was a bout of possession from Panama that ended with José Luis Rodriguez shooting over.  Trippier was having a good game down the right and one of his long passes almost found Raheem Sterling.  Sterling was brought down on several occasions and he won another free-kick on 32 minutes.  Trippier’s cross was headed on to the top of the net by Harry Maguire.  But four minutes later a magnificent goal by Lingard lit up the tournament.  Playing a sharp one-two with Sterling he gained possession just outside the box and curled a fabulous right-foot shot into the top corner.

Panama were stunned, as we all were, by this explosive opening by England, but it wasn’t over yet.  In the 40th minute a brilliant free-kick routine gave England a fourth goal.  Trippier passed to Jordan Henderson who clipped a fine ball to the far post.  Kane headed across goal to Sterling, whose point-blank header was somehow kept out by goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, only for Stones to follow up to score with another header.  It was a shame that Sterling’s effort didn’t go in as it would have boosted his confidence but it was dreamland for all the England fans and yet, four minutes later, it was even better.

Great play from Loftus-Cheek and Sterling set up Lingard but his shot was deflected for a corner.  Once again as the corner came in Kane was manhandled to the ground in a way that Mick McManus and Kent Walton would have been proud of.  (Come on, you remember the wrestling on telly don’t you?)  This time though the referee finally gave the foul the treatment it deserved, a booking for the perpetrator, Escobar, and another penalty for England!  Up stepped Kane who thumped home another faultless spot-kick.  Half-time came shortly afterwards and the score read an astonishing England 5 (yes Five!) Panama 0.  Phew.

Not unexpectedly the first ten minutes after the restart was slow and methodical and incident free as England looked to contain energy and Panama looked to stave off any more embarrassment.  It was very hot inside the stadium and there were a few tired legs, on both sides.  But on the hour England, incredibly, extended their lead, although there was an element of good fortune about the sixth goal.  Loftus-Cheek gained possession and cut inside before firing in a shot at goal.  The ball struck Kane on the heel and completely wrong-footed the hapless goalkeeper.  Was Kane going to claim the hat-trick goal?  You bet your life he was, and who can blame him.

Immediately Gareth Southgate made two substitutions as Jaime Vardy and Fabian Delph came on to replace Kane and the impressive Lingard.  On 66 minutes sloppiness at the back for England allowed Michael Murillo the chance to go for goal.  Jordan Pickford was alert though and managed to block the shot before a defender completed the clearance.

Panama then brought on two substitutes and Danny Rose replaced the excellent Trippier, who has been one of the stars for England during the tournament so far.  The pace of the game was slowing down by now but there were still chances for England.  Murillo was booked for blatantly fouling Sterling when the winger was about to break clear on goal and then a free-kick was headed back by Maguire and Henderson was desperately unlucky to see a fine volley whistle just wide of the post.

In the 76th minute Panama should have pulled a goal back when a corner was flicked on to the unmarked Roman Torres who somehow shot wide from very close range.  The warning was not heeded and two minutes later Panama did score.  Poor defending at a free-kick allowed substitute Ricardo Avila’s free-kick to be swept past Pickford by another sub, Felipe Baloy.  It was the only black spot on an incredible performance by England, annoying that it was, but at least the Panamanians in the crowd showed their uncontrolled joy at their first ever goal in the World Cup finals.  Credit to Panama who never gave up, and kept going until the end, but England just had far too much for them on this incredible day.

It was understandable that the heat and the scoreline saw England take their foot off the pedal slightly but everyone of the players should be very proud of their performances.  I thought Trippier, Lingard, Kane, Stones and especially Henderson had exceptional games.  It was a fabulous all-round team performance, just what the Doctor ordered. 

COME ON ENGLAND!

TheFA.com BBC Sport

FIFA.com Mike Payne - football historian and contributor