Updated August 8th, 2018 at 17:28 IST

WORLD CUP 2018: 'HurriKane' strikes Panama as England record huge win

Panama were struck by 'HurriKane' who scored a hat trick as England confirmed their qualification to the round of 16

Reported by: Narayan R
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This wasn't in the script! Panama are the debutantes in the World Cup 2018, so no one really expected much from them. But against all the odds, they put up a fighting display against Belgium, before eventually losing 3-0.

But what followed in the next match put a dark mark in their short World Cup history. They were struck by a 'HurriKane', who scored a hat trick as England thrashed them 6-1 to book their place in the next round.

It was an utterly dominant performance by the 1966 champions. England were all over Panama in the first half, and scored five goals in the first 45 minutes. While it all slowed down in the second half, the end result was a humiliating one for the team making their maiden appearance in the World Cup.

The rout started in the eighth minute. A simple ball in the box from the corner was horribly defended by the Panama defense, as John Stones was left free. And the Manchester City man made no mistake, as he thumped the header past a hapless Penedo.

It was a sign of things to come, as England dominated the ball and chances thereafter. They got their deserved second goal in the 22nd minute. Jesse Lingard was fouled in the box as he was about to shoot, and the referee awarded his side a spot kick. Captain Kane took the responsibility, and thumped home his first of the match, and third of the tournament.

The floodgates were opened in the 35th minute, but this time it was due to a brilliance, and not some poor defending. Jessi 'Messi, as he is known at his club Manchester United, played a lovely one-two in the middle, and curled home an effort which would have made David Beckham proud.

READ: WORLD CUP 2018: Virat Kohli In Awe Of Cristiano Ronaldo

Panama self destructed after that, as Stones scored his second and England's free kick from a training ground routine free kick. And on the stroke of half time, England got their second penalty of the match after Kane was held from a corner. He stepped up again to score his second of the match.

In the second half, it all got slow, as Panama improved defensively, and England's attackers lost their bite. But virtually out of nowhere, they got their sixth goal. Ruben Loftus-Cheek took an effort from 25 yards out, but it deflected of Kane's ankle into the goal. It was as lucky as it gets for the England's skipper, who now had five goals in the tournament.

England took their foot of the peddle after that, and in the 78th minute, came the historic moment for Panama. A free kick from the left side was turned in by Felipe Baloy. He eeked his name into the history books, becoming the first ever player from his nation to score a goal at the World Cup.

READ: WORLD CUP 2018: Cesc Fabregas Downplays Cristiano Ronaldo's Goals

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Published June 24th, 2018 at 20:21 IST