Belgium star-studded squad lived up to their name as they thumped Panama three goals to nil at the Fisht Stadium. Belgium qualified for the World Cup as one of the four unbeaten European teams and making a 13th-time debut at football’s biggest event. Belgium dominated much of the first half play and at half-time, there were no goals for either side.
As the second-half resumed, Belgium got to business almost immediately when Dries Merten drilled the ball into the Panama goal with a thunderous strike. After the first goal, the Belgians controlled the play and the game got a lot physical with eight yellow cards issued in the match – the highest so far at this year’s FIFA World Cup.
In the 69′ minute, a wonderful side-spin assist from Kevin de Bruyne did set up a header for Romelu Lukaku for the second goal and in the 75′ minute, a quick run from Eden Hazard set up Romelu Lukaku who wasted no time in lifting the ball calmly past the goalkeeper.
