Belgium scored three goals without conceding any, as they kick-started their World Cup Finals with a convincing victory. Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and one from Dries Mertens, sealed the victory for the west European nation. Panama started with promise and looked set to keep the Belgians at bay. They certainly managed to do that in the first half, but that was more to do with complacency and a lack of urgency from the Belgians in the final third. But Belgium found their rhythm in the second half and the score says the rest.
Panama started their World Cup journey with all the stats against them. They qualified for the World Cup campaign with a negative goal difference. They scored just nine goals in the qualifiers, which is two fewer than what Romelu Lukaku scored himself. True to expectations, Belgium attacked from the word go, with Kevin De Bruyne sending a pass down for Carrasco to chase. Lukaku collected the pass from him, but his shot was blocked. But the intent was clear. Belgium were all set to bully the World Cup debutants. They came surging forward again in the 4th minute, with Carrasco, De Bruyne and Hazard leading the attack but were again met with resistance from Panama. Two minutes later, Carrasco took a shot on target following a clever move by Hazard, but the effort was a weak one and Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo collected it comfortably. Panama looked nervy in defence again in the 11th minute when Roman Torres underhit a pass towards the keeper. The ball was intercepted by Hazard who shot at the side-netting.
Belgium started slacking in midfield, with both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne giving away possession cheaply. Belgium found some rhythm in the 20th minute when Mertens played the ball towards the far post towards an unmarked Lukaku, but his shot was intercepted by Roman Torres who nearly poked the ball into his own goal. Panama attacked in the 23rd minute on the counter, but Edgar Barcanes’s cross was cleared from the penalty area by Axel Witsel. Belgium continued to attack with intent, which was more thanks to Panama’s reluctance to apply pressure up front. The Belgium defence and midfield were allowed to play with relative ease by Panama, who looked content with defending in the final third. Belgium won a slew of corners and free-kicks in the first half but failed to convert even one. The first half was a story of Panamanian laxity in applying any pressure in midfield and Belgian complacency in the final third as both teams headed into their dressing room with the scores level.
Belgium started the second half strongly, with Mertens scoring from a volley inside the box. The goal looked as though it came out of nothing as he sent a dipping volley into the bottom left-hand corner. Panama looked to even things in the 53rd minute Michael Murillo got in behind Carrasco but his shot was blocked by Courtois, who had to rush off his line. Anibal Godoy was the fifth Panama player to be booked after he complained vehemently in the face of the referee. That was pretty much one of the game plans of the Panamanians—get physical. But it did not work for them as Belgium scored again in the 69th minute. Kevin De Bruyne sent a brilliantly executed low cross with the outside of his right foot, curling it to find Romelu Lukaku who headed it straight into the back of the net. Lukaku looked at the linesman, but the flag stayed down. Belgium attacked yet again six minutes later after Eden Hazard played a through ball to Lukaku, who remained composed as he lifted it over the rushing Panama goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Belgium seemed to get back their rhythm as they continued to press ahead with intent. Hazard surged forward into the Panama penalty area but was dispossessed by Michael Murillo before Hazard could inflict more damage. Panama almost scored in the 79th minute when Armando Cooper sent a cross at Luis Tejada, but the latter failed to make any contact. The slightest of touches would have seen Panama score their first World Cup goal.
Panama could not take inspiration from the other underdog performances of the World Cup as they struggled in the second half. Despite all their efforts in the first half, they ended the match conceding three goals and five yellow cards. Belgium, although they were rusty at the start, managed to do themselves justice in the end.