Lions roar

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, June 24 

England’s young and free-flowing team banished the ghost of past national failures with a record 6-1 thrashing of feeble Panama on Sunday that included a hat-trick by Harry Kane and eased them into the last-16. England’s biggest-ever World Cup win, featuring two penalties by Kane then a fortuitous deflection off his heel, also guaranteed Belgium’s berth in the next round. “Not many players score a hat-trick at a World Cup, so I’m proud of it. We had fun out there too,” said Kane calling his third “one of the luckiest goals of my life.” 

Ahead of their meeting on Thursday to decide who tops Group G, England and Belgium are level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Sunday’s game left the shell-shocked Central Americans out of their debut tournament with nine goals conceded. It also eliminated Tunisia.

Playing from the off with an ease and trickery that contrasted with the stressed-looking England flops of recent international tournaments, Gareth Southgate’s team romped into a remarkable 5-0 lead at halftime. Defender John Stones headed England in front in the eighth minute from a corner, losing his marker to angle home, before captain Kane made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute with a penalty after Jesse Lingard was pushed in the box by Fidel Escobar. Lingard made it 3-0 in the 36th minute with a beautiful strike from just outside the area before Stones nodded in his second and England’s fourth from a cleverly worked free kick routine. Kane scored another penalty just before halftime. The in-form Tottenham striker bagged his third after a 61st minute shot by Ruben Loftus-Cheek hit his foot and bounced over despairing Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. — Reuters

It’s strange because I enjoyed the win against Tunisia more because of the tension in it and the fact you get over the line when you’re under pressure is very, very special. For me, just before half time the game was done today — Gareth Southgate, England coach

Not many players score a hat-trick at a World Cup, so I’m proud of it. I have a routine for penalties. I practise them quite a lot, so it’s just about picking a corner and sticking with it. The third one is probably one of the luckiest goals of my career — Harry Kane, England captain

Panama is like a small young child in football. We are like virgins... England is totally spectacular, a beautiful team. It could have been an even bigger score. I was feeling scared in the second half — Hernan Gomez, Panama coach