https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js //tags.smilewanted.com/formats/corner-video/arsedevils_com_9edcfba
You are here
Home > Arsenal > Belgium Vs Panama : 5 Noteworthy Things We Learned As Lukaku Shines Yet Again

Belgium Vs Panama : 5 Noteworthy Things We Learned As Lukaku Shines Yet Again

by Mudit Budhiraja -
Belgium vs Panama, Belgium Panama squad line up

Belgium started their World Cup campaign in style as they managed to get a comfortable 3-0 win against the newcomers Panama as predicted on Monday in Belgium Vs Panama clash.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Belgium Vs Panama
Stats from the Belgium Vs Panama match.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Roberto Martinez’s men struggled to make the breakthrough in the first half thanks to a determined Panama side who kept the Belgium attack at bay. It looked as if they needed to make changes in the second half but the goal wasn’t far away when Dries Mertens broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half of the Belgium Vs Panama match with a stunning volley which the goalkeeper could do nothing about.

[spacer height=”20px”]

https://twitter.com/TheAthleticSCCR/status/1008744016119201792

[spacer height=”20px”]

Romelu Lukaku, who was voted the Man of the Match of the Belgium Vs Panama game added two more to make it 3-0. The first came in the 68th minute when Kevin De Bruyne found the Manchester United man by playing in a superb cross with the outside of his foot and Lukaku comfortably headed the ball to the near post.

[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]

Minutes later, Romelu Lukaku was released by Eden Hazard with an inch perfect ball which the forward comfortably lifted over Jamie Penedo as you would expect.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was quoted as saying in his post-match press conference:

[spacer height=”20px”]

 “We started very well for the first 10 to 15 minutes, then Panama become effective with their defensive structure and we got a bit anxious.

[spacer height=”20px”]

“But I’m delighted in the way we reacted as a team – everyone was committed to keep a clean sheet and in the second half it was about finding a bit of composure in front of goal. We couldn’t be prouder of the team.”

[spacer height=”20px”]

Here are four things we learned from what Belgium did to get off to a winning start in the Belgium Vs Panama match which Argentina, Germany and Brazil failed to do :

[spacer height=”20px”]

Belgium Need To Reorganize On The Left Flank

[spacer height=”20px”]

Panama’s first goal of the campaign that kept the fans waiting wasn’t too far away when a lofted ball found Murillo in the space behind Yannick Carrasco who seemed to forget his defensive duties. Belgium could have conceded there if not for Thibaut Courtois who pulled a fine save on the near post.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Yannick Carrasco who likes to be involved in every attack leaves acres of space behind to track back and this was clearly evident with Jan Vertonghen clearing up his mess. This gives Martinez something to think as the left-wing is too vulnerable and can be inviting for any opposition.

[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]

This is what Romelu Lukaku said after the Belgium Vs Panama match:

 “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.

[spacer height=”20px”]

“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.”

[spacer height=”20px”]

No Kompany No Problem

[spacer height=”20px”]

The Belgians were without their leader Vincent Kompany but still they looked almost solid in defense and managed to keep a clean sheet. Dedryck Boyata who was picked to fill in his boots did his task quite well in defense. However, the real test for this defense awaits when they meet England on 28th of June to show who will be aiming to top the group.

[spacer height=”20px”]

https://twitter.com/NigeriaNewsdesk/status/1008833522855866368

[spacer height=”20px”]

Panama Lacks Cutting Edge But Can Defend When It Matters

[spacer height=”20px”]

Panama who don’t have any prior World Cup experience started it quite well in Belgium Vs Panama game causing all sort of problems to restrict Belgium from scoring. They looked solid at the back in the first half but did little to trouble the Belgium defense.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Roman Torres who made a nervous start by almost gifting a goal in the early stages stood solid in the defense and they will surely turn to their captain for stopping England in their next game. Though they are likely to finish bottom of the group, they will take encouragement from their first half display.

[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]

Here’s what Panama Head Coach Hernan Dario had to say after the Belgium Vs Panama match:

[spacer height=”20px”]

“I told the lads they had played well and no one could point the finger,”

[spacer height=”20px”]

Belgium Clinical But Still Have Room For Improvement

[spacer height=”20px”]

The Belgians may have eased past a weak Panama side but they left it all for the second half when goals from Mertens and Lukaku made sure that they were off to a winning start.

[spacer height=”20px”]

With the genre of stars present in the Belgium team, you would not expect them to be short of ideas in the final third as was evident in the first half of the Belgium Vs Panama game with the score being tied at 0-0. Kevin De Bruyne who had an average pass completion of 83.4% in the Premier League last season managed just a 78.1% against Panama and it took him 68 minutes to play a key pass which resulted in a goal.

[spacer height=”20px”]

[spacer height=”20px”]

That surely raises questions over the deep role he has been deployed in by Martinez which restricts his freedom and influence on the game. The first two goals came from individual brilliance of what the Premier League fans will be aware of. Belgium were not sharp in the first half and were quite slow and monotonous in the build-up. They will be required to be more consistent if they are to reach the latter stages of the competition.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Keep following Arsedevils for more news and updates on the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia.

[spacer height=”20px”]

Mudit Budhiraja
Born and raised in gurgaon, A simple down to earth guy who is always looking to spread positive vibes wherever he rolls. Persuing a degree in Statistics from Delhi University also has a keen interest in music when ever he is not binge watching TV shows.
https://arsedevils.com

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Top