Harry Kane scored a Panama hat-trick as Gareth Southgate\u2019s young Lions gained entry to the next stage of the World Cup with a game to spare.<\/p>\n
Captain Kane became the first player worldwide since 1974 to score to a brace or more on his first and<\/i> second World Cup games. He\u2019s also scored in every game he has captained, with an incredible eleven goals from seven games.<\/p>\n
Kane scored his third following two penalties gifted by an aggressive and messy Panama defence. Though England<\/a> did look nervous at the start as Panama came out confident, they soon settled to produce an incredible five goals inside the first half; a tally that included Jesse Lingard\u2019s wonder-goal.<\/p>\n The young lions defied the heat and bully-boy tactics of the Panama defence to roar to an amazing 6-1 victory in Nizhny Novgorod.<\/p>\n Captain Kane spoke after the match of his pride following a dynamic England\u00a0performance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fantastic, I\u2019m so proud of the boys, we\u2019re just enjoying it you know, being here. We knew it was going to be tough, they started pretty well, but we\u2019ve been working on set-pieces. We\u2019ve been working on the way we want to play and it\u2019s all coming together. So yeah a brilliant result, obviously fantastic to be through. And to do it in this way is just brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n His three goals put him up there with the Gary Lineker and Geoff Hurst as the only English players to score a hat-trick in a World Cup finals.<\/p>\n After a superb performance, it would be easy to get carried away, as many fans will. Understandable considering the scoreline. When asked if the team believed they could lift the trophy he said;<\/p>\n \u201cI said before you have to believe. If you want to achieve anything that you want in life, you have to believe. I\u2019ve said there\u2019s still a long way to go, and we\u2019ve just got to stick together and keep to our plan.\u201d<\/p>\n Now the leading goal scorer in the tournament, he will be looking hard at the Golden Boot. Other top performances were put in by Kieran Trippier, who excelled again with superb passing and accurate corner taking. Kyle Walker was also solid at the back.<\/p>\n John Stones also had a phenomenal game, netting an unlikely brace, and a solid game throughout. Jesse Lingard contributed a beautiful strike to the tally. He also made some decisive runs, escaping his marker and finding space. The young forward will have earned a gold star for his efforts. Will it be enough for a start against Belgium?<\/p>\n The result poses questions as to whether Ruben Loftus-Cheek should hold his spot, or will Dele Alli be given the start after today\u2019s showing?<\/p>\n Potential opponents will be looking at the danger now from set pieces from England. The\u00a0hours of practice were evident today and encouraging. Especially going into what will be a much tougher match against Belgium<\/a>. The question remains whether Gareth Southgate will change the formula, or stick with the eleven that worked so well today, albeit against poor defensive opposition.<\/p>\n Belgium, bearing the might of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne and an in-form Romelu Lukaku will be performing at a different level to the scrappy effort of Panama. Whether the Spurs<\/a> connection will work for or against England in the Belgium match, remains to be seen. An interesting scenario either way.<\/p>\n Either way, it promises to be the most challenging and exciting clash either side will have played. Both sides being through to the next stage allows room for change. It\u2019s clear though that Southgate wants to continue to win. There will be no Lions basking it seems. Not least Kane, who will be eyeing the golden boot as well as leading the charge.<\/p>\n Gareth Southgate contained the joy, pointing out that the beginning and end of the game saw lapses of concentration. He wouldn\u2019t be pushed as to whether or not he would make alterations for the Belgium tie. When\u00a0asked what changes, if any, he would make for the Belgian game he replied:<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we want to keep momentum. So we will have to think about the team we want to put out. Plus there are players that need an opportunity, that perhaps haven\u2019t played for a while. But yeah, we wanna keep winning football matches. But it\u2019s a nice decision to have.\u201c<\/p>\n Nice indeed, the first two tests passed. It will be an exciting match and the first full test for a hopeful England side.<\/p>\n 6 points from 6. Bring on England next \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea #REDTOGETHER<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FqyBJ5F7Mj<\/a><\/p>\n — Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) June 23, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic, I\u2019m so proud of the boys\u201d<\/h2>\n
Panama Hat-trick for Harry<\/h2>\n
Stones and Lingard Make Their Mark<\/h2>\n
Dilly Over Dele or Turn Another Cheek?<\/h2>\n
Inside Information?<\/h2>\n
Southgate: \u201cWe want to keep momentum\u201d<\/h2>\n
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