There are some opponents that just seem to bring out the best in certain players, and for Harry Kane, Panama appear to be very much in that category. Cast your mind back to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Kane was absolutely ruthless against them, bagging a hat-trick in a 6-1 hammering that announced England as a team worth taking seriously that summer. Fast forward to now and the big man is circling again.
Kane arrives at this fixture in the kind of form that should genuinely worry Panama. Playing for Bayern Munich has only sharpened his appetite for goals, and anyone who thinks the international stage means any less to him simply hasn't been paying attention. He wants that Golden Boot conversation and he knows a performance here could put him right back in the middle of it.
What is interesting about England's approach, though, is that the bigger picture is very much front of mind. This is not just about Kane filling his boots against a side ranked well below the top tier. The management and the squad are treating this as a stepping stone, a chance to build confidence and momentum while keeping something in reserve for the tougher tests ahead. That is smart thinking from a team that has occasionally been guilty of putting too many eggs in the wrong basket.
England have genuine quality throughout the squad right now. The likes of Bellingham, Saka and Foden give them a creativity that previous generations could only dream about, and when Kane is leading the line with that kind of support, they are a frightening prospect for anyone. Panama will know they are in for a very long afternoon.
The sensible money is on England winning comfortably and Kane adding to his international tally in the process. Whether he hits the heights of 2018 against the same opponents remains to be seen, but the ingredients are all there for another big night in an England shirt. Sometimes history has a lovely way of repeating itself.
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