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Belgium 3-0 Panama: World Cup highlights and recap

By Kristofer McCormack

Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates his second goal, his team's third, during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 18, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates his second goal, his team's third, during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 18, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Belgium won 3-0 against Panama in group G of the World Cup on Monday, June 18. Here are all the highlights from the match.

Belgium got their World Cup off to the perfect start with a comfortable 3-0 win over debutants Panama on Monday. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Roberto Martinez’s side, but three second-half goals, one from Dries Mertens and two from Romelu Lukaku, secured the win for the Red Devils.

It was a historic occassion for the Panama team and the scenes of the squad and fans singing the national anthem will live long in the nation’s memory. Belgium started the game brightly, pressing the Panama defense and even producing a few early chances, the first coming from a mistake from Roman Torres that allowed Eden Hazard a shot from a tight angle that rippled the side netting.

Panama were limited to brilliant defensive moments, with Jaime Penedo and Torres all coming to the rescue to keep themselves in the game. The first goal didn’t come until early in the second half through a moment of pure magic from Mertens, whose volley from outside the box finally beat Penedo in goal. Undoubtably, Mertens’ strike will be up there for goal of the tournament.

Panama did have a chance to get back in the game, Murillo taking advantage of the space left by Yannick Carrasco at wing-back, but his tame effort was denied by Thibaut Courtois. Belgium then grabbed a second, this time Lukaku heading home a wonderful cross from Kevin De Bruyne. A third swiftly followed. Lukaku’s pace beat the Panama back line before he calmly chipped it over the advancing Penedo for his second of the game.

A routine win for Belgium as they go top of Group G ahead of England’s game against Tunisia. Panama can take plenty of positives from their performance, but ultimately Belgium’s quality proved too much to handle for CONCACAF side.

Next: Russia 2018: The best player on every team at the World Cup

Highlights

Belgium take on Tunisia next on Saturday, June 23, while Panama face England on Sunday, June 24.

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