England 6 Panama 1.
England strolled into the last 16 of the World Cup with a convincing victory over a horrendously hapless Panama team.
Here’s how we rated the England players:
Jordan Pickford – 6
His rating reflects that he wasn’t tested, rather than because he did anything wrong. Pickford was reliable in possession, but spent the game as a spectator, watching his team put away a poor Panama team. He could do little about Panama’s goal.
Kyle Walker – 8
Walker was neat in possession and stepping out of defence to play passes over the top for Trippier or into the forward’s feet. He wasn’t really tested defensively but made one impressive clearance early in the first-half when called upon. Southgate’s decision to play him in central defence now looks like a wise move, as it has allowed him to bring Trippier into the team at right wing-back.
John Stones – 9
He gifted Panama an opening early in the game with a very sloppy pass, and a better team would have punished Stones’ mistake. But, the Manchester City defender redeemed himself a few minutes later by scoring his first goal for England. Stones found himself free in the penalty area and powered a header home from Trippier’s corner. He got his second goal then just before halftime. Untested defensively, Stones was a threat from set-pieces and was neat as always in possession.
Harry Maguire – 7
Like the rest of the England team, he wasn’t tested defensively as Panama were utterly hopeless. Maguire was more secure in possession that against Tunisia, but it was notable that he often had to cut back inside and play a pass on his right foot. He didn’t do anything wrong, but his unwillingness to play a pass with his left foot could be exploited by a better side. Played Panama onside for their goal.
Kieran Trippier – 9
Another very impressive performance. Trippier was England’s best player in the win over Tunisia and excelled again on Sunday afternoon. The Tottenham full-back was an attacking outlet throughout. His runs beyond the Panama defence were brilliantly timed and his delivery sound, especially when he set up Stones’ goal from a corner. His pass over the top for Lingard also resulted in England winning a penalty. He has had a very good tournament so far.
Ashley Young – 7
Rarely involved in attacking passages of play, but Young did little wrong. In truth, he could have brought a book, parked himself on a recliner in the middle of the pitch and went for a nap and Panama still wouldn’t have caused England any trouble.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 7
Brought into the team after Dele Alli’s injury, Loftus-Cheek struggled to get into the game in the opening half. In the first 30 minutes, he had only 11 touches. The midfielder found space hard to come by and often drifted deep to collect the ball. He was more involved after the break, but had a quiet game and he arguably didn’t do enough to dislodge Alli from the first-choice XI.
However, he’s a neat player, with excellent close control and he is comfortable taking the ball in tight spaces, so the Chelsea midfielder will still be an option for Southgate off the bench as the tournament progresses. He was involved in England’s sixth goal when his shot struck Kane on the way into the net.
Jordan Henderson – 7
His cross in the build-up for England’s fourth goal from a well-worked free-kick was excellent, and Henderson worked hard. He provided a defensive shield – not that one was needed – by winning his fair share of tackles. A comfortable afternoon for the Liverpool captain.
Jesse Lingard – 8.5
Lingard won England’s first penalty with one of his trademark runs from deep, and then scored a brilliant goal. Lingard linked up well with Sterling out wide, ran into space centrally and curled a wonderful effort from the edge of the box into the top corner.
Raheem Sterling – 7.5
Sterling was on the edge of the game in the first half. In the opening 30 minutes, he had just 11 touches of the ball. He began to drop deep in search of a pass, and set up Lingard’s goal with a clever pass around the corner into space. He missed a close-range chance from a well-worked free-kick, but Stones was on hand to head home his second goal of the day from the rebound.
Harry Kane – 8.5
The England captain dispatched both of his penalties with ease. They were two of the best spot-kicks you’ll ever see, but, otherwise, Kane was on the edge of the match. He had just 12 touches in the first half, less than any other England player and two of those were from the spot. But, ultimately, it didn’t matter and Kane delivered when it mattered again, netting a hat-trick – although he didn’t know a lot about his third goal, a Loftus-Cheek shot that deflected off his heel.
Substitutes
Jamie Vardy Fabian Delph and Danny Rose – N/A
None of them were involved enough to be rated, as the game was completely dead as a contest when they came on.
