England qualify for World Cup last 16: Three Lions through to knockout stages after 6-1 Panama win

England have qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup with a game to spare after thrashing Panama 6-1 in a stunning Group G clash on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions were 5-0 up after an extraordinary opening 45 minutes, with Harry Kane scoring two penalties, John Stones heading two more goals and Jesse Lingard netting a wonder strike to leave England fans in dreamland in Nizhny Novgorod.

Kane completed his hat-trick in fortunate fashion as a Ruben Loftus-Cheek strike hit the striker's heel and deflected into the net, and England sauntered into the knockout stages of the competition before their final group game against Belgium.

It is the first time England have kicked off a tournament with successive victories since 2006.

It was also England's biggest ever win at the World Cup, comfortably trumping three previous 3-0 results - and a serious statement about their intent for the knockout stages.