Game, set-piece and match to

Southgate’s side show they have it all as they mix flair with four goals from dead-ball situations

beautifully-worked third goal as he exchanged passes with Raheem Sterling b e fo re c u rl i n g a s u p e r b s h o t p a s t Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.

It was England’s first World Cup goal from outside the box in open play since Joe Cole’s volley against Sweden in the 2006 group stage, proving this expressionism Southgate is attempting to create has been a long time coming.

Allied to the opening 25 minutes against Tunisia, there are clear signs of progress in that area, but England have an unexpectedly potent threat at s e t-p i e c e s in these finals which Southgate credited striking coach Allan Russell with masterminding.

“If anything, Allan is spending more time on those [than assistant boss Steve Holland],” he said.

“We’ve identified that as a key area in tournaments and one we felt we could improve upon. In the most simple terms, it helps if you have got outstanding delivery and people that want to go and head the thing.

“At the moment, we have got that. We are giving it the right sort of attention in training and it is clear the opposition were wary of it right from the start because there could have been a penalty conceded from the first one and it led to a penalty on one of the latter ones.

“It is an important part of the game because no matter how much you control the game and the possession, in tournaments set-plays at both ends are really important.”

Kane knew nothing about his hattrick goal — Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s long-range effort striking the England captain and Tottenham forward’s heel and deflecting past Penedo — but it came at the end of a 25-pass move which, according to Twitter account OptaJoe, is the longest sequence for a World Cup goal since 1966.

It is far too early to be talking about that tournament in relation to England’s overall chances — not least because Panama were able to score a consolation goal to extend lingering concerns as to the solidity of Southgate’s defence against better opponents

No matter how much you control the game, in tournaments set-plays at both ends are really important Gareth Southgate