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As it happenedended

England vs Panama, LIVE World Cup 2018: Goals and latest reaction as Harry Kane scores hat-trick to seal progression to last-16

Follow all the action from the Group G clash in Nizhny Novgorod

Molly Hudson
Sunday 24 June 2018 15:06 BST
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England will be desperate to build on their dramatic late victory against Tunisia and take a commanding stance in Group G when they take on Panama. Gareth Southgate’s side played some of the best football any team has produced in the tournament in the opening 30 minutes, but hit a wall when Tunisia equalised from the spot.

England’s team appeared to have been leaked after a photographer snapped the line-up written on paper held by assistant manager Steve Holland. Marcus Rashford may start over Raheem Sterling and Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces the injured Dele Alli.

Panama marked their first ever World Cup appearance with a 3-0 defeat against Belgium. The Panamanians fought hard but fell short of quality in the final third, picking up five yellow cards in the process.

Follow all of the live action below.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

What time is it?

England vs Panama kicks off at 13:00 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Where can I watch it?

BBC will show live coverage on BBC One and on the BBC Sport website.

Odds

England: 1/4

Panama: 15/1

Draw: 5/1

Prediction

England 3 vs 0 Panama. Surely there is only one possible result in this game. Panama eventually crumbled under Belgium’s pressure and offered very little going forward. If England can replicate the standard of play they set in the opening exchanges against Tunisia, there is no reason why they can’t put a few past their opponents.

The team news is in.

England line up as expected with with only the one change from the win over Tunisia, Ruben Loftus-Cheek in for the injured Dele Alli.

Full team:

Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Loftus-Cheek, Henderson, Young; Lingard, Sterling; Kane.

And for balance, here's how Panama will line up.

Penedo, Murillo, Escobar, Torres, Gomez, Perez, Barcenas, Cooper, Davis, Godoy, J Rodriguez.

Ben Burrows24 June 2018 11:55

With that team news, comes a very big afternoon for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. His cameo against Tunisia may have been impressive, but today will be a huge leap into the deep end.

Now 22, Loftus-Cheek will make his first competitive start for England and being in from the off can cause a whole set of new pressures - just ask Raheem Sterling.

From a young age Loftus-Cheek impressed, and any Chelsea fans will know his huge reputation at just 15 or 16 years old. Given his first real chance of regular football at Crystal Palace this season, big things are expected from the midfielder stepping into Dele Alli's boots.

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:12

At the other end of the scale comes Raheem Sterling. This season he has arguably performed the best of any England player for his club, alongside only Harry Kane. Under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City Sterling upped his goals, his dribbles and his assists, and looked the complete player many have been asking for since his departure from Anfield.

But in an England shirt, Sterling never seems to quite find his best form, flustered in front of goal, and never quite at his best. Today he gets another chance, with Marcus Rashford pushing for a place in the starting XI. He must deliver today, if he is to be picked further into the competition.

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:21

But what of England's opponents Panama? With one of the oldest squads in the competition, Panama have plenty of experience and guile, although admittedly not on the scale of the World Cup.

Striker Blas Perez is getting on a bit at 37, and is nicknamed Super Raton Spanish for Mighty Mouse. He may not have the pace of some of the England attackers, but he will be giving the England back three a mighty headache this afternoon.

After all, who doesn't want to score against England?

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:27

The debate has rumbled on this week as to whether Steve Holland's written 'teamsheet' should've been published. Gareth Southgate had the last laugh anyway, as Sterling keeps his place...maybe a bit more correction needed, crossword clue of Everton goalkeeper born '94 isn't the hardest I've seen.

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:33

One factor of the match that could effect the quality of the game, and even the result, will be the heat. Temperatures of up to 34C are expected, and England must manage their excitement and pressuring of Panama.

News now in, that there will be no scheduled water breaks in this one, and England must not find themselves in the last 10 minutes needing a goal, in such energy-sapping conditions.

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:44

The players have had a sample of the conditions in the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, and we are less than 15 minutes until kick off. Getting nervous yet England fans? 

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:46

The teams are in the tunnel, and there's one big decision left...can England win the coin toss and get the goal in the shade for the first half? Jordan Pickford will certainly be hoping so.

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:53

Milner's ready...are you? 

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 12:57

KICK OFF: England get us underway!

Molly Hudson24 June 2018 13:00

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