England vs Panama

The last time England played Panama, the result was a 6-1 demolition in Nizhny Novgorod that still stands as England's largest World Cup victory since 1954. John Stones scored twice from set pieces, Kane helped himself to a hat-trick, and Panama's players applauded their own fans after scoring a late consolation that felt like a moral victory. Eight years on, the panorama has shifted.

Panama are more organised under Christiansen, harder to break down, and unlikely to collapse in the same way. But the fundamental gap in quality remains vast. England's attacking options — Kane, Saka, Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen from the bench — would overwhelm most international defences, and against a Panamanian back line featuring several players from domestic football, the mismatch is stark. Southgate's only concern is rotation: if England have six points from the first two matches, he may rest key personnel ahead of the knockout rounds, which could reduce the margin of victory without changing the outcome.

Panama will defend deep and in numbers, looking to waste time and disrupt rhythm, and for twenty-minute stretches they may succeed. But set pieces remain England's most reliable weapon, and Stones's 2018 ghost will loom over every corner. Panama's World Cup goal tally stands at two in three matches; scoring here, let alone getting a result, would rank among the tournament's great surprises.