At MetLife Stadium, Group L's formality plays out: England, top on 4 points and ranked 4th in the world, need only a draw to secure first place, while Panama are already eliminated and yet to score a goal. England arrive in rhythm after a 4-2 win over Croatia (a Harry Kane brace) and a disciplined 0-0 with Ghana, and the history is ominous for the hosts' opponents — England thrashed Panama 6-1 at the 2018 World Cup, Kane helping himself to a hat-trick that day.

The individual subplot gives this dead rubber its spark: Harry Kane sits on 10 World Cup goals, level with Gary Lineker's England record, and a strike here would make the record his alone. Even if Thomas Tuchel rotates with qualification effectively assured, England's strength in depth dwarfs a Panama side whose organised low block has kept scorelines respectable but who are simply overmatched. A controlled, win-to-nil performance is the likeliest outcome; something like 0-3, with Kane finding the net to rewrite the record books, fits the gulf in class.