The Chelsea forward scored two first-half penalties and one excellent goal in the second half to help his side to victory on a night in which he also captained the side.

His contribution means the US national team has now won all nine of their last nine competitive home matches in which Pulisic has scored in.

They got off to a flying start, too, with four goals inside the first half.

The US were given a penalty after the referee consulted VAR in the 15th minute, after Walker Zimmerman was adjudged to have fouled by Anibal Godoy inside the area.

Panama skipper Godoy then conceded yet another penalty minutes into first-half stoppage time, with the Chelsea man converting yet again to see his side go in 4-0 up at the break.

The US No.10 showed off his technical ability as he completed his trio of goals 20 minutes into the second period. Pulisic controlled a low cross from Fulham’s Antonee Robinson exquisitely before touching the ball between two defenders and coolly slotting past Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia.

He became the second USA player to score a hat-trick against Panama after Eddie Johnson also did so in a World Cup Qualifier in 2004.

Additional goals from Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferreira ensured the Americans hit five in Florida. They now sit on 25 points in CONCACAF’s qualifying table, level with Mexico, meaning they would have to suffer a six-goal defeat on Wednesday night against Costa Rica to be denied automatic qualification to this winter’s World Cup.

If they were to suffer a defeat by six goals or more, they would have to play in the play-offs with the winners of the Oceania qualifying section. The US last lost a competitive match by six goals in 1957, against Mexico.

The game in San Jose kicks-off at 2.05am UK time on Thursday morning.