Belgium 3 Vs Panama 0: Lukaku Scores Brace As They Beat World Cup Debutants

Belgium defeat Panama in their first ever World Cup match!

Manchester United star, Romelu Lukaku scored twice, after Dries Mertens had opened the scoresheet with a 47th minute volley in the 3-0 win over debutants, Panama, in Sochi on Monday.

Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard assisted both Lukaku’s goals, respectively. Lukaku now has 38 goals in 70 games for Belgium and is his country’s record goalscorer. “As a team we know we have a lot of players with qualities. We were ready today and need to be ready for the next game as that will be more difficult than this one,” said Lukaku, who was voted Man of the Match.

“I’m not thinking in personal terms – the most important thing is the team. I want to help my team-mates as much as possible.”

Belgium are now unbeaten in their last 10 World Cup group games, winning each of their last five. “It would have been terrible if they had scored more. No-one likes losing but considering our opponents and our history it is a normal result and they could have scored more,” said Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez:

“It is not a positive result, but they could have won by a landslide and there were people that thought we would lose by seven goals.

“I told them we played with dignity. We are not as fit as the European players. We will keep growing and learning.” Belgium will take on Tunisia in their second match on Saturday, June 23, while Panama face England a day later.

Photo Credit: Getty

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