Sports
Lukaku brace helps Belgium thrash World Cup debutants Panama
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scored twice to help Belgium inflict a 3-0 defeat on World Cup first-timers Panama in a Group G encounter at Sochi Stadium in Russia on Monday.
Panama did put up a spirited fight especially in the first half as the North Americans had nearly as much chances as their opponents but failed to find the back of the net.
After a goalless first half, Belgium finally got ahead 2 minutes into the second half from a superb strike by Dries Mertens who steered from 15 yards.
The European giants doubled their lead when Eden Hazard played the ball back to Kevin De Bruyne, and the Manchester City star curled a lovely cross on to the head of Lukaku who nods past goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
Read Also: World Cup 2018: Sweden beat South Korea 1-0
Lukaku scored his second of the game on 75 minutes – just 6 minutes after his first – with a Hazard assist, to seal the victory for Belgium.
The former Everton striker has scored 38 times in 70 games for Belgium and currently stands as his country’s record goalscorer.
Panama, ranked 55th in the World, qualified for the Russia showpiece ahead of the United States. They have now lost their debut match at the mundial.
The other game of Group G between England and Tunisia holds later on Monday.
Belgium will take on Tunisia in their second match on Saturday, while Panama wil battle England a day later.
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