LUK OUT ENGLAND
Two-goal Rom blast for Three Lions
HE has been called a flat-track bully for scoring against minnows and disappearing against the big teams.
But England know striker Romelu Lukaku has hit the ground running in Russia after his header and delicious chipped finish helped Belgium to an easy win over Panama.
Lukaku will face England in what could be the group decider on Thursday week.
ROMELU LUKAKU was locked and loaded – and ensured the Red Devils wouldn’t join the big guns flopping in Russia.
Manchester United’s target man fired a brace as Roberto Martinez’s men produced a second-half super-show to get their tournament off to a flier.
Belgium, among the favourites for this tournament, have watched Brazil, Germany and Spain struggle in their opening clashes.
But once a lovely, looping Dries Mertens’ volley got them underway two minutes into the second-half, Lukaku took over. Mind you, he needed a helping hand as Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne and skipper Eden Hazard created openings that you would expect a £75million striker to take.
Boss Martinez (below) was happy enough at the final whistle.
He said: “It was exactly as we expected. There aren’t any easy games – we had nothing to win because everyone expected a landslide.
“Panama were effective and we got anxious but I’m delighted with the way we reacted.
“The goal from Dries was a mental blow for Panama and gave us more breathing space. They put up an incredible effort but we were more ourselves after the goal.
“I couldn’t be prouder as a coach. Everyone showed they are ready to help.”
Panama showed little in attack but did prove that they have the ability to be stubborn opponents.
England are next up in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday – and the regularity with which Hernan Gomez’s men conceded free-kicks will be noted by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
They were happy to break up the game constantly. That tactic definitely upset Belgium’s rhythm. The game was goalless at the break, Martinez’s men had appeared to run out of ideas.
But just as it appeared that this World Cup was going to throw up another sensational tale, Mertens struck.
Two defensive headers reached the Napoli man on the right-hand side of the area. He took aim and fired home a sweet shot on the full.
Relief swept through Belgium. From then on it was a case of how many. The answer was three.The second arrived in the 70th minute when De Bruyne and Hazard combined on the left and the former pinged over a lovely cross with the outside of his right boot.
Lukaku was never going to miss a header from eight yards.
And with Panama haring forward in search of a goal that would have given their legions of supporters in the Fisht Stadium something to cheer, they committed the sin of turning over possession to Hazard.
The Chelsea man made strides forward and then fed Lukaku who clipped the ball over onrushing keeper Jaime Penedo to wrap up a victory that was made to look far more comfortable than it might otherwise have been.