World Cup result: England 6-1 Panama; Harry Kane hat-trick helps Three Lions reach last 16

Harry Kane struck a hat-trick as England marched into the last 16 of the World Cup after with a record 6-1 win over a woeful Panama.

The result, a record win for England in a World Cup finals match, means England qualify for the knockout stage with a game to spare, along with Belgium.

England were 5-0 up at half-time after taking full advantage of a poor Panamanian defence. A header from a corner by John Stones, a penalty from Kane and a beautiful strike from the edge of the box by Jesse Lingard set them on their way.

A Stones header from a well-worked free-kick routine and a second Kane penalty gave them a 5-0 lead going into the break.

The England captain, now the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, completed his hat-trick when a shot from Ruben Loftus-Cheek deflected in off the Tottenham forward in the 62nd minute.

Kane became just the third England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup game following Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final and Gary Lineker against Poland in the 1986 tournament.

Panama pulled a goal back in the 78th minute through Felipe Baloy – the Central American nation’s first goal at a World Cup.

ENGLAND 6-1 PANAMA – STONES (7, 40), KANE (21, 45, 61), LINGARD (35), BALOY (78)

England XI: Pickford, Trippier, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Young, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, Sterling, Kane.

Panama XI: Penedo, Murillo, Escobar, R Torres, Davis, Gomez, Godoy, Cooper, J Rodriguez, Barcenas, Perez.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS

15:55: OK, that’s enough excitement for one afternoon. I wasn’t sure before kick off but now I’m totally convinced we’ll win the World Cup and thump everyone 6-1 along the way.

Anyway, I’m off to start organising the open-top bus parade. Bye!

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES?

15:45: Gareth Southgate is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Yesterday Roberto Martinez made is clear that he would make changes for Thursday’s fixture with England, but Southgate’s been rather more considered.

“We want to keep momentum, so we’ll have to think about the team we want to put out,” said Southgate. “There’s an opportunity as well for players who need a match, but also we want to keep winning football matches. It’s a nice decision to make.”

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Farah: Just imagine if Sam Allardyce was still the England manager…

Leave: So happy Gareth Southgate is in charge as at least he is attempting to play the right way for England. Imagine if Big Sam had been in charge… we’d have just drawn that game 1-1! We’d have had two holding midfielders, an ageing back line & Carroll up top!

John: Wow! I’m exhausted! Congratulations England. You’re doing the country proud!

‘I DIDN’T PARTICULARLY LIKE THE PERFORMANCE’

15:35: England boss Gareth Southgate: “I didn’t particularly like the performance! I didn’t like the start and I didn’t like the goal at the end but I guess the bits in the middle were pretty good. I am being hyper-critical, though. I just thought we were a little anxious at the start. We played some really good stuff for 35-40 minutes but then of course the second half was more difficult.

“At 5-0 we talked about the importance of one more goal to be top of the group, so that’s why the goal at the end was disappointing, but by the same token for everything everyone has put into it over the last few weeks it is rewarding to see how they are playing and how they are enjoying their football and I am sure everybody at home was enjoying it as well.

“Confidence wise it was important that we were able to score goals. Our set plays were also a threat and that was pleasing to see.”

‘WE ARE VIRGINS’

15:30: Panama coach Hernan Gomez: “We are virgins, we have been born before the due date, we are debutants. We have to celebrate what we have done here.

“England are totally spectacular, a beautiful team. I went to congratulate him (Gareth Southgate) at half-time, I told him I really like his team.”

WHO’S NEXT?

15:25: Forgive me if there’s anything amiss here. It’s not often that us England supporters are eagerly figuring out the best route to the final.

Let’s indulge ourselves for a moment to look at a few of the permutations.

If England win Group G…

They will play their last-16 match on Monday July 2 against the runner-up in World Cup Group H, which consists of Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.

Win that and…

They will have a quarter-final against the winners of Group E — either Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica or Serbia — or the runner-up of Group F — Germany, Mexico, Sweden or South Korea.

Problems…

Germany could finish as Group F runners-up despite their win over Sweden. This could mean a last-16 match between Brazil and Germany — with England playing the winner in the quarters.

If England finish second in Group G…

They will play their last-16 match on Tuesday July 3 against the winner of Group H, remember, one of Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.

If they win that…

Their quarter-final match will be played on Saturday, July 7 against the winners of a last-16 tie between the winners Group F — Germany, Mexico, Sweden or South Korea — and the runners-up in Group E — Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica or Serbia.

Problems…

Not many on the face of it… Germany will probably not win Group F, while Brazil are unlikely to finish runners-up in Group E so, theoretically, England could face the winner of a last-16 tie between Mexico and Serbia in the quarter-final.

Clear as mud. Glad I bothered.

‘WOULD HAVE LOVED A CLEAN SHEET’

15:20: You just can’t please some people. John Stones, fresh from his BRACE, is delighted but would have liked a clean sheet.

“That is something I never thought I’d do at the start of the day!” Stone said.

“It is great to get through, I remember watching four years ago and knowing how hard the lads had worked to get through. This time playing in this game it is a special moment and we wanted to do the country proud, get through to the next step and see where we can go.

“To score my first goals for England was something special, especially at a World Cup. I’d have loved to have got a clean sheet, that is something to take forward into next games and hopefully I can get a few more goals form set pieces.”

‘SO PROUD’

15:15: Hat-trick hero Harry Kane: “Fantastic. I am so, so proud of the boys.

“We are just enjoying it – enjoying being here. We have been working on set pieces and working on the way we play and it is all coming together. Fantastic to be through and to do it this way is brilliant.

“The fans have been brilliant, both sets of fans to be fair, that is what the World Cup is about. We are enjoying it and we have to keep it going, not get ahead of ourselves.

“You have to believe [we can win the World Cup], there is a long way to go, a lot of had work but we just have to stick to our gameplan. We got to go into the game against Belgium looking to win but this win gives us a bit of a cushion. We will see what happens.”

‘WE CAN GO ALL THE WAY’

15:10: Goalscorer Jesse Lingard: “It is an amazing feeling, even better that we won. We are top of the table and can go into the Belgium game with confidence. It is great to be around the lads, there is a great team spirit at the moment.

“Of course [we can win the World Cup], with the squad we have got and the confidence flowing I don’t see why not? But we will take it game by game.”

HIRSTORY

15:05: Only in 1966 (11) have England scored more goals in a single World Cup tournament than they have in 2018 (8 – also in 1954 and 1990).

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Mark: Well done England job done. Nice to watch a performance where they score more than one goal. We’ll face tougher opposition sure but it was just great to see them score for fun.

Lee: First time having some father and daughter time and watching a football game together. I fear it may be giving her unrealistic expectations for the future.

Casa: I’m delighted but the scoreline flatters us. A great result but I worry how we will do against organised defences who can defend set pieces. A cup of realism, please!

ENGLAND 6-1 PANAMA

FT: Not a bad way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. England have demolished Panama 6-1 and captain Harry Kane has bagged a historic hat-trick to lead the race for the Golden Boot. Cristiano Ronaldo will be shaking in his boots.

Tougher tests lie ahead, but England book their place in the last 16 in emphatic style. Eyes now turn to Thursday’s clash with Belgium to determine who will finish top of Group G.

93: We’re dow to a walking pace in the heat here at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Looks like England will go top of the group on their disciplinary record. We have two yellows cards to Belgium’s three.

90: Four minutes of added time.

89: Free-kick to England in Panama territory. Have we got more training-ground routines up our sleeve? Nope, it was a simple cross into the area and John Stones nearly prodded home the loose ball to complete it hat-trick.

88: Things are winding down a bit with England looking content to settle on six goals. Not a bad afternoon’s work.

85: Panama have a bit of a spring in their step now. Their fans are still celebrating Felipe Baloy 78th-minute strike.

83: Time for some maths. That Panama goal means England and Belgium share the same goal difference. Should they draw on Thursday, then disciplinary records will separate the pair.

And the good news is that we currently have less!

81: Raheem Sterling looks to regain the six-goal advantage but his dipping effort flies wide.

ENGLAND 6-1 PANAMA – BALOY

78: Felipe Baloy, the 37-year-old veteran, has pulled one back for Panama. The 6-6 is most certainly on the cards.

Stones and Maguire switch off from a free-kick on the right. Avila’s delivery finds Baloy lurking and the defender slides it past Jordan Pickford with a tasty finish.

The Panama fans celebrate like they’ve won the World Cup.

76: Harry Kane is the current leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup with five goals, scoring with all five of his shots on target in the tournament.

74: Ouch! England fans now signing: “Are you Scotland in disguise.”

73: Oh dear. Roman Torres has missed a sitter. A Panama corner alludes everyone in the area and the defender pokes wide with the goal at his mercy. England switched off there.

72: Nearly seventh heaven and a new name on the scoresheet. Again Harry Maguire wins the header to divert a deep corner back into the penalty area, where Jordan Henderson lashes a volley wide.

71: England make their final change with Kieran Trippier replaced by Danny Rose. Ashley Young will shift to right back.

68: Chris Waddle has give his verdict on Panama. It’s not too kind, shocking eh?

“I’m taking nothing away from England, who have been very professional, but how bad are Panama? I thought I was doing them a favour by saying it was Premier League against League One,” he told the BBC.

I think that’s rather insulting to League One football, actually.

65: Close! Panama nearly pull one back. Murillo nips behind Ashley Young but Pickford is quickly out before Walker and Stones clear up the mess.

62: Ah, Gareth Southgate must be reading my updates. Jamie Vardy and Fabian Delph enter the fray. They replace Hat-trick hero Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard.

ENGLAND 6-0 PANAMA – KANE (HAT-TRICK)

61: He can do no wrong. Harry Kane has completed his hat-trick, and he wasn’t even looking at the ball!

Ruben Loftus-Cheek lines one up from distance and his off-target effort flicks off Harry Kane’s heel, loops over the goalkeeper and nestles nicely in the net.

Harry Kane is so prolific that he scores goals buy accident!

60: Time for changes? Gareth Southgate hasn’t turned to his bench yet but it might be worth resting Harry Kane and a few others with this game sewn up.

58: England just toying with Panama now. Lots of passing, quick one-twos and even some fancy footwork in the middle of the park. This must be what it feels like to support Brazil.

55: What’s this? We’ve had a corner that we haven’t scored from? Booooooooo! Ten is looking a little ambitious because Panama are playing the damage-limitations game.

53: I pray that the BBC will now cross live to the Allardyce household…

51: Panama should a bit more resilient since the break but their attack is still pretty toothless. Raheem Sterling sets off chasing a long pass forward but Penedo was quickly off his line.

48: Gareth Southgate’s England pick up from where they left off. On the attack. Harry Kane slips Raheem Sterling through but his clever reverse pass is intercepted before Ruben Loftus-Cheek could convert.

45: And we’re back underway. Would 10 be too greedy?! No changes at the break.

QUALIFIED

HT: I think it’s safe to say that England have secured their place in the last 16 with a game to spare. An England win would also secure progress for Belgium, while eliminating Panama and Tunisia.

GOLDEN BOOT…

HT: Whisper it quietly, but Harry Kane could win the Golden Boot at this rate. He’s level with Cristiano Ronaldo with four goals and has another 45 against a shambolic defence to lead the charts.

WRESTLING…

HT: The grappling at the corners is unbelievable. It’s like amateur wrestling inside the penalty area. I don’t expect 11 Panama players to be on the field come the full-time whistle.

HT: I’ve just realised that USA lost out to Panama. How on earth is that even possible?!

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Steve: Pinch me 5-0 to England at half time. Playing well given the way Panama are treating the England players.

Jason: Completely level headed and not getting carried away at all. But. We’re going to win the World Cup.

Chris: Best 45 minutes of football I have ever seen England play!! Unreal.

Jo: Kane is Captain Calm, a great influence on the rest of the team. You can see there’s a steely resilience to him. Endless ambition too, truly leads from the front.

ENGLAND 5-0 PANAMA

HT: Just LOOK at that scoreline. England are leading 5-0 at the break. It’s coming home, lads. It’s coming home!

47: This is only the fifth time in World Cup history that a team has scored 5+ goals in the first half of a match, with Germany vs Brazil in the 2014 semi-final the most recent occasion.

46: Canal… hat… papers… your boys are taking one hell of a beating.

ENGLAND 5-0 PANAMA – KANE (PEN)

45: More delaying tactics from Panama. They protest the decision for a couple of minutes and the referee dishes out more bookings.

Harry Kane sets the ball down… emphatic. England are destroying Panama.

PENALTY TO ENGLAND

43: Honestly, am I dreaming? The referee has no choice but to point to the spot after Harry Kane is dragged to the floor. It was like the incident in the Tunisia clash but worse.

ENGLAND 4-0 PANAMA – STONES

40: Four! England have scored FOUR in in the opening half of a World Cup match. Never thought I’d see the day.

It’s straight off the training ground and leaves Panama completely baffled.

The free-kick is taken short and curled over to Harry Kane, who nods it back to Raheem Sterling. The Manchester City winger’s initial header is saved but John Stones follows up quickly to convert.

39: Free-kick in a dangerous area. There’s about six England players all wanting to take it. This is a BIG chance…

37: Can I just double check that we’re watching England? This is incredible stuff. OK, it’s Panama but we’ve made similar sides look like world-beaters in the past.

ENGLAND 3-0 PANAMA – LINGARD

35: Did I just say that England were slowing down the tempo? Scratch that…

Jesse Lingard has scored England’s first goal from open play and it’s absolutely divine. Think Philippe Coutinho’s strike against Switzerland.

The midfielder star plays a neat one-two with Raheem Sterling before opening his body and lashing a curling 25-yard drive beyond Panama’s helpless goalkeeper.

33: England just slowing the tempo in the blistering heat. That’s good game-management in 33 degree temperatures. Gareth Southgate’s side will need four more to beat Belgium’s goal difference and top the group.

30: Decent spell for Panama results in Rodriguez whipping a cross that narrowly flies over Jordan Pickford’s crossbar.

28: Nearly a third as Kyle Walker finds Jesse Lingard bounding into the area, but his first touch gifts Panama possession.

25: I don’t quite know what happened in the aftermath of Harry Kane’s penalty. The Panama players crowded the referee as if to suggest the celebrations lasted too long.

24: Harry Kane is only the third England player to score 3+ goals in a World Cup group stage, after Roger Hunt in 1966 and Gary Lineker in 1986.

23: Ruben Loftus-Cheek booked. England, who are totally in control, need to ensure they avoid being dragged into silly stuff here.

ENGLAND 2-0 PANAMA – KANE (PEN)

21:  Harry Kane drills his third goal of the tournament past Penedo to double England’s tally inside 22 minutes. Fill your boots, lads.

The Tottenham striker did well to ignore some gamesmanship from the Panama players, who continually kicked off and tried to distract him. I sense they are losing the neutral support with their antics.

PENALTY TO ENGLAND

20: England have a penalty after Jesse Lingard is knocked over by Escobar. The Manchester United was through and it’s the easiest decision you’re likely to see at these finals.

19: Theatrics alert. Torres throws himself to the floor after a challenge from Raheem Sterling. There was nothing in it but it didn’t stop him from staying down for five minutes.

17: All three of England’s goals at the 2018 World Cup have been from corners – as many as in their previous 34 combined in the competition.

15: Another silly chance conceded. Barcenas, who looks like Panama’s one and only threat, drives forward and strikes a 25-yard effort just wide. I think Pickford had it covered.

12: John Stones is the second Manchester City player to score for England at the World Cup, and the first since Trevor Francis in 1982.

10: Just seen a replay of the goal again. I’m certain we would of have a penalty if John Stones hadn’t of scored. These Panama lot aren’t particularly subtle with their bruising tactics.

Cooper ploughs through Lingard and collects the first booking of the day. I’m sure that it won’t be the last.

ENGLAND 1-0 PANAMA – STONES

8: Yesssssssssssssss!

England respond to that Panama chance in the best possible fashion. Scoring.

Kieran Trippier takes a corner from the right. All the Panama players are more interested in wrestling Harry Kane and Harry Maguire that Manchester City’s John Stones swans through and unleashes a powerful header into the bottom corner. Clinical.

5: Warning. We’ve just been ripped apart by Panama. Barcenas breaks away down the right flank before cutting the ball across to the unmarked Godoy to shank it miles high and wide. No more of those thank you.

3: England straight into the ascendancy with Ruben Loftus-Cheek creating a good chance down the right flank. He shrugs his marker off before drilling a low cross into the area.

Jesse Lingard’s first touch was poor and then he promptly finds himself floored by Gomez, who clattered the Manchester United midfielder with his elbow. VAR isn’t used… for some unknown reason. It should have bee a red.

1: And we’re off. A easy routine victory, right? Let’s go lads!

NATIONAL ANTHEMS

12:58: Just a quick mention about the national anthems. I’m afraid we were roundly trounced in the signing department. I suspect there are a fair few more Panama supporters inside the stadium this afternoon.

EH?

12:55: The BBC have just issued an apology in advance. They are saying that the host broadcaster’s cameras aren’t working properly and the feed keeps cutting out. I look forward to that…

HERE THEY COME

12:53: And the players are emerging from the tunnel. There’s a small disk of sunlight blazing down in one corner of the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Could cause a few problems.

JESSE LINGARD

12:49: He divides opinion, but there’s no doubting what Jesse Lingard brings to the party off the field.

He’s clearly the joker of the pack and chairman of the banter society. The Manchester United midfielder’s just given an interview during which he cracked out a scouse, cockney and geordie accents.

NAUGHTY CESC…

12:45: Cesc Fabregas just couldn’t help himself.

After a positive analysis of England’s World Cup chances, former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas couldn’t resist a dig at Tottenham.

Asked his thoughts on Harry Kane, he cheekily responded: “Kane is probably the best striker in the Premier League. I think he’s now ready to go to a BIG club.”

IS RUBEN READY?

12:42: The answer is a resounding YES according to former England & Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

The 22-year-old has shown glimpses of star quality in his five international appearances to date and made a real impression against Tunisia on Monday.

“Ruben Loftus-Cheek is making his first competitive start for England – and I know he will be ready,” Lampard told the BBC. “Ruben is someone I know really well from when he was coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea.

“Straight away he made an impression because of his physical attributes, but he knew how to play too – he had great ability and even then he could drift past people on the ball.

“He does that even better now, with his pace and power when he is running at you, which makes him different from a lot of modern-day midfield players – and puts a fear into the opposition that they do not usually have.”

TEAM NEWS – PANAMA

12:38: Panama coach Hernan Gomez has kept the same line-up that lost their opener to Belgium, with dreadlocked Roman Torres the linchpin of a defence expecting a busy day.

Los Canaleros (The Canal Men) were again looking to Alberto Quintero in midfield for some creative spark to complement the speed and physicality of other players. The World Cup debutants had 37-year old striker Blas Perez leading the line up front.

Panama XI: Penedo, Murillo, Roman Torres, Escobar, Davis, Barcenas, Cooper, Gomez, Godoy, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Perez.

Subs: Calderon, Cummings, Gabriel Torres, Diaz, Machado, Pimentel, Arroyo, Ovalle, Tejada, Avila, Baloy, Alex Rodriguez.

NO BREAK…

12:35: Despite the warm temperatures at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, it’s not officially warm enough for a drinks break. Sorry, lads.

KANE PRESSUE…

12:33: Do you remember when Pep Guardiola called Tottenham the “Harry Kane team” a few months ago? Well, I think we could be in danger of earning the same reputation after his winning brace against Tunisia.

It’s not essential, but you would hope that at least one of his colleagues can hit the target against Panama to reduce the reliance on a single source.

WARM UP

12:29: The England boys have trotted out to start their warm ups. It rarely got above 20 degrees during their training sessions in Volgograd, so acclimatising to the energy-sapping conditions will be pivotal today.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Josh: This England team really excites me. What better way of giving experience to younger players to prepare them for bigger matches. Really looking forward to this one!

Tom: Come on England! We have to play with the same drive and passion as the Tunisia game, but more clinical in front of goal!

Jake: Keeping Raheem Sterling in the starting XI could be good move… if he can grab a goal or two today it could be the start of something special.

KEEP CALM AND DON’T GET SENT OFF…

12:24: Not the catchiest of phrases, but darn important against a side like Panama.

Panama are unapologetic about their physical style. They picked up five yellow cards in a bruising outing against Belgium.

But England’s coaching staff are equally wary about their own players maintaining discipline. With provocations likely, the Three Lions must stand their ground without risking any red cards. Losing their heads might be the only way they can lose the game.

SOUTHGATE SPEAKS…

12:19: Gareth Southgate has just spoken to the BBC, and here are his thoughts ahead of kick off.

“We think we will have the vast majority of play which is good in this heat because we will control the tempo, but we have got to use our width properly and discipline will be the key. It is not a good day for a light blue shirt but I won’t be able to be hide much,” the Three Lions boss said.

“We have got to focus on the performance and ensure we play with intelligence. Panama have certain threats that we have got to be ready for, and we have to play with patience as Germany and Brazil have showed in recent nights.”

KEEP IT TIGHT

12:15: How’s this for an inspirational war cry from Panama manager Hernan Dario Gomez.

“If we lose then fine, but let us not get thrashed,” Gomez said. Panama are less technically able than Tunisia and far less mobile, with many of their players 30 or over.

That experience might make life difficult for England, so too their physicality in sweltering Nizhny Novgorod. Yet the pace at Gareth Southgate’s disposal could well give them a fright.

PERMUTATIONS…

12:10: Can anyone think of another scenario when we collectively use the word ‘permutations?’

It’s kind of like “adverse weather conditions” being exclusively used by rail companies to cancel my train home.

Anyway, England are one win away from reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup and here’s what could happen after today’s clash.

England beat Panama

Qualification will be secured with a game to spare, setting up a final clash with Belgium on Thursday which will decide the group winners. Southgate’s side currently have a goal difference of one – Belgium’s is six – so a win against the Red Devils would likely be needed to finish top.

England draw with Panama

A place in the last 16 will be close, but not certain. They would still need a point against Belgium but a defeat in that final game, coupled with a Panama win over Tunisia, could leave England vulnerable on goal difference. Panama’s goal difference is currently minus three.

England lose to Panama

England and Panama would go into the final game on three points, meaning whoever got the better result in their respective final fixtures would qualify. If both teams win they would be left in a three-way tie with Belgium, with the two teams with the best goal difference going through.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Debajyoti: If Raheem Sterling scores a hat-trick today I’ll eat my words (I don’t have a hat). But what more does Marcus Rashford have to do to get a start? Feel for him.

Steve: Ruben Loftus-Cheek was my man of the match in Monday despite coming on late in the game. Not unhappy with the forced change.

Nicola: So excited to see Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the team! Big moment for him but I reckon he can handle it.

THAT PICTURE…

12:00: I’ll touch briefly on the ‘photo scandal’ that has dominated the headlines over the last few days.

Steve Holland was pictured holding a list of player names during an open training session this week, which was reported as giving a possible tip-off about the starting XI to face Panama.

But Gareth Southgate quashed the controversy, likening the team’s relationship with the media to a strained family holiday.

“The guys have to find stories and produce content. We have to get results. We’re all living in a slightly false thing…like when you go on holiday with your family,” he said. “After you’ve been away a while, you’re a little bit sick of certain people and less so with others.”

My family holidays involve a great deal more stain than that, Gareth…

TEAM NEWS – ENGLAND

11:55: The headline news is that Gareth Southgate has handed a start to Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek with Dele Alli sidelined through injury.

But there’s one or two other interesting decisions.

Southgate has kept faith with Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling despite a fairly disappointing performance against Tunisia.

He’s also decided to continue with Ashley Young at left-back ahead of Danny Rose, who must again settle for a place among the substitutes.

THE LINE-UP ARRIVES

11:50: Here’s the worst kept secret in world football. And don’t worry, I didn’t obtain it with an ultra long lens…

There’s just one change with Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek replacing the injured Dele Alli, who should be available for the Belgium fixture.

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Loftus-Cheek, Henderson, Lingard, Young, Sterling, Kane.

Subs: Butland, Rose, Dier, Vardy, Welbeck, Cahill, Jones, Delph, Rashford, Alli, Alexander-Arnold, Pope.

Panama XI: Penedo, Murillo, Roman Torres, Escobar, Davis, Barcenas, Cooper, Gomez, Godoy, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Perez.

Subs: Calderon, Cummings, Gabriel Torres, Diaz, Machado, Pimentel, Arroyo, Ovalle, Tejada, Avila, Baloy, Alex Rodriguez.

HEAT WAVE…

11:45: Roasting. Sweltering. Boiling. Sizzling. Blistering. Use any adjective you like to describe the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, it’s a furnace.

When English players first imagined playing a World Cup in Russia, I bet they wouldn’t have envisaged searing sunshine and temperatures of 32 degrees.

There’s been barely a cloud for days.

But is Gareth Southgate bothered? Is he heck! The England manager says his players will just have to adapt.

“We just have to adapt to that,” Southgate said. “It’s important to keep possession of the ball. There will be moments where we attack with the ball, and others where we rest with possession.”

HAVE YOUR SAY

11:40: If you want to vent your frustrations, or discuss any issues in the world of football (within reason), then get in touch!

You can either comment at the bottom of the page or contact me via Twitter using the hashtag #ExpressSport.

WELCOME

11:35: Hello everyone, welcome to our LIVE coverage of the World Cup.

How’s your nerves? Mine were shredded before Harry Kane’s injury-time header gave England the win they deserved in their opener against Tunisia.

But I’m hopeful of a more relaxed victory over Panama in today’s early fixture.

Then again, this is England.

And “relaxed” and “hopeful” aren’t two words normally associated with the Three Lions at a major tournament…

Anyway, let’s gets started because there’s plenty to discuss ahead of kick off.