Unlike the other World Cup favourites – Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Spain – that have struggled through their opening matches, Belgium looked every part the title contender in their opening Group G match on Monday, 18 June.
A stunning volley from Dries Mertens and a brace by Romelu Lukaku helped the Red Devils cruise to a 3-0 victory over debutants Panama in the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Mertens hammered home a superb volley two minutes into the second half, sending the ball arcing over Jaime Penedo after Panama struggled to clear a cross.
The opening goal came as a relief to the Belgians, who have seen other favourites struggle against well-organised opponents in the opening round of World Cup games.
"It was tough. A long run-up to the World Cup and finally you have the first match and everybody expects so much," Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said.
"You have such an urge to run and do your thing and then you notice your legs don't co-operate. You see it with every team in their first match. I hope the second match goes better," the Spaniard added.
The Belgians put their slow start behind them in the second half as their passing game started to click, but Panama still managed to find opportunities for counter-attacks and were unlucky not to score.
"It is a result that can't be positive because we lost 3-0 but they could have won by a landslide," Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez told a news conference.
"I think we did a good job. Some people thought we would lose by seven goals but it was only 3-0," he said.
(With inputs from Reuters.)
(For complete FIFA World Cup 2018 coverage, click here to visit our special WC page.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)