England Pound Panama to go top of Group G

England Vs Panama

Before the tourney I had predicted that England would scale through to the knock out stage of the Russia 2018 World Cup with 5 points, by drawing Tunisia, beating Panama and also ending their game with Belgium in a stalemate. I just wanted them to go through and now they are now in pole position to finish as Group G winners after devouring the Panamanians. In what was both team’s second group game, the English side were without the services of midfielder Dele Alli due to injury and Reuben Loftus-Cheek was called upon to replace him. In a game against Panama, I would also have replaced Alli easily.

I caught the game with one of my brothers by the way, someone who wouldn’t support England on a good day but was seriously praying for Harry Kane to bag at least a hat-trick because he had him in his World Cup Fantasy team. It was one-way traffic from the 8th minute when John Stones put England ahead. Kane doubled the lead for the 3 Lions in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot and 14 minutes later Manchester United’s midfielder Jesse Lingard scored a scorcher of a goal to make it 3-0. Stones got his 2nd goal and England’s 4th after Raheem Sterling fumbled his effort in the 40th minute before Kane wrapped up the scoring of the first half via another spot kick in the first minute of added time. 5 unreplied  goals in the first half ensured England was comfortable going into the break.

The second half was not as explosive as the first as we had to wait 17 minutes into the half before England could add to the goals. Captain Harry Kane got himself a third goal, in what my friend called the cheapest hat-trick in football history (2 penalties and a goal he probably knew nothing about) to make scores 6-0.

It was looking like England would score more but it was Panama that pulled one back in the the 78th minute through Felipe Baloy who is the oldest player in the Panamanian squad and on the pitch.

The game ended 6-1 with England level on points and goals difference with Belgium who beat Tunisia 5-2 in the other group G fixture. The game between England and Belgium will determine who tops the group. For me this is the easiest group of the tourney.

Thanks for your time guys and do have a fab week. BLESS !!!