England 6-1 Panama - Goals Galore as Three Lions Demolish Panama to Record England's Largest Ever World Cup Victory
Panama found themselves in an extremely hard and competitive qualifying group. Facing the likes of experienced World Cup mainstays; Mexico, USA and Honduras. As well as Costa Rica, who had a great World Cup campaign at Brazil 2014. While Trinidad and Tobago could also prove to be a difficult opponent. Panama finished the group in third, just pipping the USA by a single point and beating Honduras on goal difference to send them on their way to their first ever World Cup. Notable results included impressive draws with Mexico (0-0) and USA (1-1), showing that Panama have it in them to cause an upset to big teams. Panama's final match was against Costa Rica, where Román Torres' lastminute header gave them a 2-1 lead and ultimately sent Panama to their first ever World Cup, achieving national hero status in the process. Panama will prove to be a tough test for England if the Three Lions aren't careful. Panama are a physical side who aren't afraid of a challenge. Hernán Darío Gómez knows how to get the best out of an ageing set of players and showed his tactical nous in friendlies against Denmark and Switzerland in march, by changing formation from a basic and trusted 4-4-2, to a 5-4-1 that could equally be seen as a 3-4-3. A 1-0 defeat to Denmark was a commendable result, especially considering the difference between the two sets of players and that the Panama squad's average age is the joint oldest at this Summer's World Cup, equal with fellow South Americans Costa Rica, at 29.4 years of age.
After a nervy and sloppy start, England found themselves 1-0 ahead after just 8 minutes. Once again, the Three Lions score from a corner, despite the tight marking; John Stones the scorer this time as he lost his marker, Michael Murillo in the Panamanian box and sent a thumping header into the bottom left corner for his first international goal. The Three Lions still looked rather poor, with Panama looking the better side in the opening 15 minutes. England were awarded a penalty after Kieran Trippier's chipped ball over the Panama defence was taken down well by Jesse Lingard, who was sandwiched between Fidel Escobar and Torres. Harry Kane stepped up and blasted his penalty into the top left-hand corner in emphatic style. That second goal disheartened Panama and England would seize control of the game. Panama looked a threat going forward but struggled defensively and found themselves 2-0 down against an England side full of belief and on the ascendancy. 10 minutes from the break, Lingard scored one of the goals of the tournament so far. Lingard Played a one-two with Raheem Sterling, took a touch and curled a wonderful shot into the top right corner from 25 yards. Another set-piece, another goal. England's beautifully well-worked free-kick came straight from the training ground. Jordan Henderson's first-time, chipped, over-the-top ball was headed back across goal by Kane, where Sterling forced Jaime Penedo into a great save, but John Stones was free at the back post to head home for his second and England's fourth. The Three Lions ended the half with another penalty after more grappling from a corner. Kane stepped up once again and finished another beautiful penalty. A mirror image of his previous spot kick. England were rampant in the first half, cruising to a 5-0 lead before the break. Everything they tried worked, and everything Kane touched turned to goals.
The second half was much more even than the first. England continued to threaten as Sterling was played through on goal, but Penedo put in an excellent tackle to clear the ball on the edge of his box. The two halves couldn't have been more different. The tempo had slowed and neither team were having any real, clear-cut chances. Often the case with games where one side is out of sight by half time. The game was effectively won in the first half and England's thoughts may have turned towards the Belgium game, and how they can best prepare for the clash that would decide the top of the group. Just after the hour mark, Kane sealed his hat-trick with either the fanciest back-heel flick in World Cup history, or equally just the greatest piece of fortune! Reuben Loftus-Cheek's long-range effort clipped the heel of Kane and the ball looped over Penedo and bounced into the back of the net. England's first World Cup hat-trick since Gary Lineker's against Poland in 1986 and only their third ever; and a goal that saw Kane lead the World Cup Golden Boot race. The Three Lions came close from another corner as Maguire's header was met by Henderson, who sent a well-struck volley just wide of the post. Panama came close to scoring in the 76th minute after Torres sent a header from a corner wide from only 3 yards out. All the fortune was on England's side as they were lucky to have scored a sixth and lucky to have not conceded. Panama did score 2 minutes later however, and celebrated like they had just won the World Cup, and understandably so after scoring their first World Cup goal ever! England switched off and defended Ricardo Ávila's free-kick extremely poorly. A lapse in focus and concentration allowed Panama's oldest player in their squad, Felipe Baloy, to nip in and convert a stretching half-volley past Pickford.
Clinical captain Kane led by example as England comfortably dispatched their South American opponents and qualified for the World Cup knock-out rounds. The Three Lions finally met expectations and avoided a potential upset when the pressure was on. From the start Panama looked to play a 6 at the back, but some shocking defending, a huge slice of luck and well-worked set-pieces saw the Three Lions seal the three points. 'The Barnsley Beckenbauer', AKA John Stones, was a standout performer with a brace of headers and a first half pass completion rate of 97.6%. As was Harry Kane, who scored England's third World Cup hat-trick; joining an illustrious club which includes, Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Gary Lineker. Also, while being far from his best and continuing his goal-scoring struggle in an England shirt, Raheem Sterling came out of the game with 2 assists.
England can hopefully take something from each group game. The late win against Tunisia showed the belief and the ability to dig deep and keep pushing for a result; the demolition of Panama showed the team's ability to score goals when expected and the clinical nature the team possesses; and hopefully, the Belgium performance will show how well we compete against good footballing sides. England currently sit top of Group G on their disciplinary record, as they have fewer yellow cards than Belgium. If they were to draw with Belgium and end up level on yellow cards, then lots would be drawn.
England's win against Tunisia will hopefully have sent them in good stead and got the team up and running for a long World Cup campaign, or at least longer than the group stage! England's group is much easier than that of Brazil 2014, so the knock-out rounds should be a bare minimum expectancy. Panama will be a chance for the Three Lions to show their improvement from previous campaigns, but Panama could also pose threats of their own and cause a potential upset. If the Three Lions were to win, qualification to the knock-out rounds will be secured after Belgium beat Tunisia 5-2.
Tempers Flared as Defenders Harry Maguire and Román Torres Clash
After a nervy and sloppy start, England found themselves 1-0 ahead after just 8 minutes. Once again, the Three Lions score from a corner, despite the tight marking; John Stones the scorer this time as he lost his marker, Michael Murillo in the Panamanian box and sent a thumping header into the bottom left corner for his first international goal. The Three Lions still looked rather poor, with Panama looking the better side in the opening 15 minutes. England were awarded a penalty after Kieran Trippier's chipped ball over the Panama defence was taken down well by Jesse Lingard, who was sandwiched between Fidel Escobar and Torres. Harry Kane stepped up and blasted his penalty into the top left-hand corner in emphatic style. That second goal disheartened Panama and England would seize control of the game. Panama looked a threat going forward but struggled defensively and found themselves 2-0 down against an England side full of belief and on the ascendancy. 10 minutes from the break, Lingard scored one of the goals of the tournament so far. Lingard Played a one-two with Raheem Sterling, took a touch and curled a wonderful shot into the top right corner from 25 yards. Another set-piece, another goal. England's beautifully well-worked free-kick came straight from the training ground. Jordan Henderson's first-time, chipped, over-the-top ball was headed back across goal by Kane, where Sterling forced Jaime Penedo into a great save, but John Stones was free at the back post to head home for his second and England's fourth. The Three Lions ended the half with another penalty after more grappling from a corner. Kane stepped up once again and finished another beautiful penalty. A mirror image of his previous spot kick. England were rampant in the first half, cruising to a 5-0 lead before the break. Everything they tried worked, and everything Kane touched turned to goals.
John Stones Celebrates Scoring his First International Goal with his England Teammates
The second half was much more even than the first. England continued to threaten as Sterling was played through on goal, but Penedo put in an excellent tackle to clear the ball on the edge of his box. The two halves couldn't have been more different. The tempo had slowed and neither team were having any real, clear-cut chances. Often the case with games where one side is out of sight by half time. The game was effectively won in the first half and England's thoughts may have turned towards the Belgium game, and how they can best prepare for the clash that would decide the top of the group. Just after the hour mark, Kane sealed his hat-trick with either the fanciest back-heel flick in World Cup history, or equally just the greatest piece of fortune! Reuben Loftus-Cheek's long-range effort clipped the heel of Kane and the ball looped over Penedo and bounced into the back of the net. England's first World Cup hat-trick since Gary Lineker's against Poland in 1986 and only their third ever; and a goal that saw Kane lead the World Cup Golden Boot race. The Three Lions came close from another corner as Maguire's header was met by Henderson, who sent a well-struck volley just wide of the post. Panama came close to scoring in the 76th minute after Torres sent a header from a corner wide from only 3 yards out. All the fortune was on England's side as they were lucky to have scored a sixth and lucky to have not conceded. Panama did score 2 minutes later however, and celebrated like they had just won the World Cup, and understandably so after scoring their first World Cup goal ever! England switched off and defended Ricardo Ávila's free-kick extremely poorly. A lapse in focus and concentration allowed Panama's oldest player in their squad, Felipe Baloy, to nip in and convert a stretching half-volley past Pickford.
Felipe Baloy (23) Slots Past Pickford to Score Panama's First Ever World Cup Goal
Clinical captain Kane led by example as England comfortably dispatched their South American opponents and qualified for the World Cup knock-out rounds. The Three Lions finally met expectations and avoided a potential upset when the pressure was on. From the start Panama looked to play a 6 at the back, but some shocking defending, a huge slice of luck and well-worked set-pieces saw the Three Lions seal the three points. 'The Barnsley Beckenbauer', AKA John Stones, was a standout performer with a brace of headers and a first half pass completion rate of 97.6%. As was Harry Kane, who scored England's third World Cup hat-trick; joining an illustrious club which includes, Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Gary Lineker. Also, while being far from his best and continuing his goal-scoring struggle in an England shirt, Raheem Sterling came out of the game with 2 assists.
England can hopefully take something from each group game. The late win against Tunisia showed the belief and the ability to dig deep and keep pushing for a result; the demolition of Panama showed the team's ability to score goals when expected and the clinical nature the team possesses; and hopefully, the Belgium performance will show how well we compete against good footballing sides. England currently sit top of Group G on their disciplinary record, as they have fewer yellow cards than Belgium. If they were to draw with Belgium and end up level on yellow cards, then lots would be drawn.
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