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Breaking down England’s World Cup adventure in Russia

By James Westwood

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Players of England applaud their fans following their loss to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Players of England applaud their fans following their loss to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA – JUNE 24: Raheem Sterling of England is fouled by Michael Murillo of Panama during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Panama at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA – JUNE 24: Raheem Sterling of England is fouled by Michael Murillo of Panama during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Panama at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

PANAMA – Group G, matchday 2
Final score: 6-1

It took Southgate’s side just 8 minutes to take the lead against Panama, through a John Stones header after another fine Kieran Trippier set piece. From then on the game descended into a nightmare for the Central American nation, as Harry Kane scored two penalties either side of another Stones header and a superb strike from Jesse Lingard.

5-0 up at halftime, the second period became a walk in the park as England only added one more goal to their tally – Harry Kane completing his hattrick after inadvertently flicking a Ruben Loftus Cheek effort into the net -before conceding a consolation goal to their defeated opponents.

6 goals scored without ever really getting out of second gear and a place in the last 16 secured with one game to spare; England had already improved on their group stage exit four years prior in Brazil.

However, they only managed 2 goals from open play in this match, as the scoreline masked a growing trend of relying on set pieces for goalscoring opportunities.

Panama proved themselves to be by far one of the weakest side’s on show in Russia and therefore it was difficult to gauge England’s performance as anything more than a necessary job well done.

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