World Cup 2018: England break Three Lions goalscoring record BEFORE half-time by netting five times
John Stones and Harry Kane both banged in twice, while Jesse Lingard scored with an exquisite strike from distance
ENGLAND netted five times at a World Cup for the first time, as the Three Lions went into the break 5-0 up against Panama.
Unlike against Tunisia in their Group G opener, Gareth Southgate's men were clinical in the opening 45 minutes as they ran riot against their Central American opponents.
It is the first time a country has scored five goals in the first half since Germany's 7-1 semi-final win against Brazil in 2014.
Manchester City centre-back John Stones powered in a free header from a corner in the eighth minute, before Harry Kane scored from the spot.
Jesse Lingard then curled home an exquisite strike in off the bar in the 36th minute, before the Tottenham striker once again found the top left corner from 12 yards out.
Stones then capped a simply astonishing half of football for the Three Lions as he tapped in a close range header after Raheem Sterling somehow missed from three yards out.
Barring a miracle Panama comeback, England will record their biggest win at a World Cup.
The highest win by margin the 1966 World Cup champions have achieved is 3-0 - which they have done so on three occasions against Poland and Paraguay in 1986, and Denmark in 2002.
While Southgate's side could also trump England's biggest victory in a competitive international which stands at 9-0 - with both results coming against Luxembourg in 1960 and 1982.
Follow all the action from England’s clash with Panama with the SunSport LIVE blog.
