World Cup: England’s 3 lions Kane, Stones, Lingard thrash Panama 6-1

Harry Kane moved ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku in the race for the Golden Boot as England demolished Panama to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup. England were 5-0 in front at half-time as they roasted their opponents, who are ranked 55th in the world. It was the first time England have scored more than four goals in a single game at a World Cup, and they will now play off with Belgium to decide who will top Group G.

England took an early lead through John Stones' bullet header — his first international goal — and Kane doubled their advantage soon after, rifling a penalty into the top corner after Jesse Lingard went down in the box.

Lingard scored a screamer soon after, bending the ball into the top corner from distance in superb style, and another Stones header capped a fine England set-piece routine to make it four.

Stones was then wrestled to the ground in the box and Kane notched up his second of the game — another from the penalty spot — to make it 5-0 at the break.

Panama pull one back in the second half

England took their foot off the gas after the break but Kane got his hat-trick goal in fortuitous circumstances, with Lingard's shot deflecting off Kane and looping into the net.

But the most heartwarming moment of the game came when 37-year-old Panama substitute Felipe Baloy stretched out a leg to divert Mila's free-kick into the net for Panama's first ever World Cup goal. The Panama fans were dancing in the aisles of the Nizhny Novgorod stadium.

The biggest win yet at this World Cup as England flattened Panama to secure their place in the last 16 alongside Belgium from Group G, whom they play on Thursday to decide who tops Group G. Panama are out, but they're celebrating their first ever World Cup goal.

Twitter goes crazy as England scored goal after goal

With inputs by dw