Manchester United forward, Romelu Lukaku netted a brace as Belgium overcame an obdurate Panama side 3-0 at Sochi, Russia.
Lukaku scored two second half goals, after Dries Mertens remarkable opener, to seal all three points for the Red Devils in the first match of Group G.
It was the first meeting between the two nations, while Belgium were making their 13th appearance, for Panama, it was a historic day, as they made their debut.
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However, any thoughts the North Americans would be blown away by their more experienced opponents were soon laid to rest, as Roberto Martinez’s men found the Panamanians a difficult nut to crack.
Despite a dominant first half from Belgium, which saw them threaten Panama a number of times, the Europeans failed to find a way behind the stubborn Panama back four.
Both sides would go into the break with Panama the happiest of the two, as there was nothing to separate them.
After the break, whatever Martinez told his team at half time worked immediately as an outrageous volley from Mertens put them 1-0 up just two minutes into the second half.
Panama almost equalised seven minutes later, Michael Murillo was put through on goal, but with just Thibaut Courtois to beat, the forward couldn’t keep his composure, shooting straight at the on-rushing Courtois.
Thereafter, it was all Belgium, as they continued to pile on the pressure, with a brilliant one-touch football by the Red Devils failing to locate Lukaku just after the hour mark.
Eight minutes later, the United striker got his goal, heading home from a beautiful Kevin De Bruyne cross to double his side’s lead.
But that was not all from the 25-year-old, who grabbed his second and Belgium’s third six minutes later, following good work by Eden Hazard, who slipped a lovely through pass for the striker to chip past a hapless Jaime Penedo in goal for Panama.
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Both goals were Lukaku’s 10th in his last 10 matches for Belgium, taking his tally to 15goals.
The victory means Belgium are now unbeaten in their last ten games in the group stages of the world cup, with manager, Martinez, winning his first ever game at the tournament.
Next up for them is a potentially tougher game on Saturday against Africans, Tunisia, who face England in their first game, while Panama take on the Three Lions of England on Sunday.
