World Cup 2018: Five things we learned from Belgium's opening win over debutants Panama

Belgium got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start, beating newcomers Panama 3-0 in Sochi.

Dries Mertens blasted Belgium into life with a stunning volley two minutes after half time as Roberto Martinez’s side recovered from a lacklustre first half performance.

Kevin De Bruyne successfully passed to every player in the first half except for Romelu Lukaku. But in the 68th minute, his outside of the foot cross from the left landed on the head of Lukaku who nodded in the second goal.

Two quickly became three when Lukaku was released through on goal by Eden Hazard and lifted a shot over Jamie Penedo after setting himself inside the box.

Here are five things we learned in Sochi:

Belgium scored 43 goals in the qualifying rounds and managed to cram Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens into the side, but they were very slow to get their star players firing.

Lukaku, who has scored 14 goals in 2018, had seven touches in the first half and just one inside the box. Hazard looked lively from deep but was often crowded out as he approached the box, and although De Bruyne showed glimpses that he could unlock Panama’s bolted door it all seemed a little disjointed.

The football was slow and conservative, far below what this Belgium side should be able to produce with the quality players at their disposal. Martinez was hounded out of Everton for playing monotonous football which failed to produce results, the danger here is that history is repeating itself.

The worrying thing is that you sense there is much more to come for Belgium, and if they can improve on this result and performance, then the side will be a real force this tournament.

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Playing Yannick Carrasco, who predominantly operates as an attacking winger, at left wing-back is inviting the opposition to try and exploit that area. This was almost Panama’s route to their first ever World Cup goal when a lofted ball found Michael Murillo in space behind Carrasco. The Panama full back took his time to set the ball then forced a near post save from Thibaut Courtois.

Jan Vertoghen may have to look for a remedy to ease a sore throat after all the shouting he did at the 24-year-old. Martinez is not spoiled for choice when it comes to full backs so Carrasco is likely to continue playing the role he did during qualifying, an exciting prospect for any opposition.

Every time Panama got on the ball it sounded like all four million Panamanians were present inside Sochi’s Fisht Olympic Stadium. An equally high amount of passion was shown by the players who were holding back the tears as the Panama national anthem sounded at the World Cup for the very first time.

The enthusiasm continued on the pitch but at times the tackles became over-zealous. Eric Davis was the first of five players to enter the referee’s notebook with a late tackle on Mertens which left the Napoli forward in a heap on the ground.

While the tackles were mostly fair they were certainly strong, and England’s stars may be double checking their shin-pads and boots ahead of Sunday’s match.

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Belgium have a ridiculous wealth of talent all over the pitch, but do appear to lack depth in central defence. Toby Alderweireld made his eighth appearance in 2018 alongside Jan Vertoghen and Dedryck Boyata, with Vincent Kompany ruled out through injury.

Martinez chose Boyata, who joined Celtic from Manchester City in 2015, to be the captain’s replacement after impressing when given a chance in tournament warm-up games. The 27-year-old looked composed on the ball and stuck to his task in defence.

In the first half Belgium occupied 62 per cent of possession which could tempt Martinez to switch to four at the back in order to get more players involved in attacking areas.

The World Cup’s heaviest player at 99kg, Panama’s captain Roman Torres certainly threw his weight around in defence. After a nervous start he was initially able to contain Lukaku by matching him in the air and following his strides as he looked to burst into space. The likelihood is that Torres will be tasked with keeping Harry Kane as quiet as possible in England’s meeting with Panama.