ENGLAND WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN 2018 -- MATCH TWO VS PANAMA

GROUP G
SUNDAY 24th JUNE 2018
ENGLAND vs PANAMA   
[KICK OFF 1PM (BST)]
 -- Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. 

Following the success on Monday, a 2-1 win against Tunisia the Three Lions move onto Nizhny to face Panama in match two. The plan was always to cover the England fixtures during this summers FIFA World Cup in Russia, at least we will have three games to "enjoy" and then if we can get out of the group it's knock out football so as long as we don't go to penalties anything is possible, a win today will surely assure progress at least. 

Our second game takes place on Sunday against Panama, who have qualified for their first ever World Cup Tournament. They are ranked No.55 in the current FIFA World Rankings and fell to Belgium 3-0 in their opening game. If England can take a win here it will mean qualification for the knockout stages and the Belgium tie will be to decide who comes top of the group. 

Teams are confirmed;

PANAMA
Penedo (GK),  Murillo,  R Torres (c),  Escobar,  Davis,  Gómez,  Bárcenas,  Cooper,  Godoy,  JL Rodriguez,  Pérez 

Subs -- Calderón (Gk),  A Rodríguez (Gk),  Cummings,  G Torres,  Diaz,  Machado,  Pimentel,  Arroyo,  Ovalle,  Tejada,  Avila,  Baloy


ENGLAND
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  Maguire,  Henderson,  Trippier,  Lingard,  Loftus-Cheek,  Young,  Kane (c),  Sterling

Subs -- Butland (Gk),  Pope (Gk),  Alexander-Armstrong,  Rose,  Dier,  Delph,  Jones,  Alli,  Cahill,  Vardy,  Rashford,  Welbeck


Referee -- Ghead Grisha (Egypt).

HT Score -- 5 - 0.
(Stones 8' 40', Kane pens 22' 45', Lingard 36')

FT Result -- 6 - 1. 
(Kane HT 62')      (Baloy 78')

Comment -- Great start to the game with the early goal from a corner buried by John Stones after only 8 mins. Calm the nerves and something build on now. Although a few strong tackles go in but England get themselves a penalty on 20 mins which was superbly converted by Harry Kane after a wait for the VAR review. 

England on top now and surely it's a case of "how many". 
The answer is loads, three more goals before half time from Jesse Lingard another for John Stones and another penalty for Harry Kane just on half time takes us through to the knockout phase with a game to go. 

Can't wait for the 2nd half now. Which was still exciting but effectively a 1-1 draw with Kane getting his hat-trick albeit a deflected Loftus Cheek shot then was subbed and Panama got a deserved goal when Baloy scored their first ever goal in a World Cup. 6-1 a good result, we go top with Belgium to come on Thursday night. Happy.