Romelu Lukaku fires double as Belgium see off Panama

A Romelu Lukaku brace and Dries Mertens screamer saw Belgium outclass Panama 3-0 in their World Cup Group G opener.

Roberto Martinez’s side have the dreaded ‘Golden Generation’ tagline attached to them – one that has previously plagued Group G rivals England – and it took them until the second half to break down the compact Central Americans.

Belgium were quite simply dreadful in the first period, but a moment of quality two minutes after the restart from Mertens sparked them into life.

The Napoli forward’s wonderful dipping volley inspired his team-mates into a much improved showing and a quick-fire double from Lukaku ensured Belgium completed a convincing victory, though they have much sterner challenges lying in wait.

Tunisia are Belgium's next opponents on Saturday, June 23, while Panama take on England the following day.

Convincing victory for Belgium, but it wasn't all plain sailing. Questions will be asked of Roberto Martinez after a lethargic and below-par first-half performance. The tactics of the former Everton manager have raised eyebrows time after time, and the decision to start Kevin De Bruyne in a deep-lying midfield position against such lowly opposition is particularly baffling.

It took a moment of quality for Belgium to finally loosen up and suddenly, with the pressure off, they turned on the style for the second period. When at their best, the sky is the limit for this group of talented players – but they must raise their game against superior quality. Whether or not they are capable of doing so remains to be seen.

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): The Manchester United forward now has 15 goals in his previous 10 games for his country. He was well positioned at the back post to convert De Bruyne's outrageous cross with the outside of his boot, and his second goal was a typical poacher's finish we have become accustomed to from the 25-year-old over the years. Lukaku has yet to light up an international tournament but he has made a grand start to the World Cup 2018.

Panama: Penedo 7, Murillo 6, Escobar 6, R Torres 7, Davis 6, Gomez 6, Godoy 6, Cooper 6, J Rodriguez 6, Barcenas 7, Perez 6. Subs: G Torres 5, Diaz 5, , Tejada 5.

Belgium: Courtois 7, Alderweireld 7, Boyata 6, Vertonghen 7, Meunier 7, Witsel 7, De Bruyne 7, Carrasco 7, Mertens 8, E. Hazard 7, R. Lukaku 8. Subs: T Hazard 5 Dembele 5, Chadli N/A.

11’ - CHANCE! Torres' back-pass is short as Hazard nips in to steal the ball, but with just the goalkeeper to beat he fails to find the target from an acute angle. Hazard had more time than he thought and the Chelsea forward will be disappointed when he looks back at the replay.

20’ - CRUCIAL DEFENDING! Torres makes a crucial intervention to divert De Bruyne's cross behind for a corner, with Lukaku waiting to pounce at the back post!

38’ - SAVE! That's more like it from Hazard! The Chelsea forward finds space from the left side of the penalty box and he accepts the invitation to shoot, forcing Penedo into a fine save at his near post.

47' - GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Panama. A stunning goal from Mertens breaks the deadlock! Panama can only partially clear a cross from the right, the loose ball falls to Mertens whose dipping, unstoppable first-time volley is guided into the top corner from the top of the box. Great technique.

52’ - WIDE! De Bruyne lifts his free-kick up and over the wall but it swerves away from the top corner, with the goalkeeper struggling to get there. Close.

54' - GREAT SAVE! Carrasco falls asleep, allowing Murillo to latch onto a ball over the top unchallenged. Courtois is off his line quickly though to block the shot with his knee. That's the closest Panama have came.

69' - GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Panama. De Bruyne uses his pace to beat a defender before delivering a beautiful cross with the outside of his boot which is turned home by the head of Lukaku! The referee consults VAR to determine if the forward was offside... but no, it will count. Belgium extend their lead.

75' - GOAL! Belgium 3-0 Panama. A clever break from the Belgian is finished by Lukaku who grabs his second of the evening.Witsel wins the ball in midfield, he feeds Hazard who drives forward before slipping through Lukaku. The Man United forward is as composed as ever, clipping the ball over Penedo.

Belgium are unbeaten in their last 20 matches (W15 D5), their last loss came in Sept 2016 vs. Spain (0-2).

Only Jan Ceulemans (six) has scored more goals in major tournaments (World Cup and EUROs) for Belgium than Romelu Lukaku (five, level with Marc Wilmots)

Kevin de Bruyne's assist for Romelu Lukaku was only his second successful pass to the striker in the match (69th minute).

Dries Mertens is the first Belgian player to score in two different World Cup tournaments since Marc Wilmots (1998 and 2002).