Lukaku gets double against Panama
UNITED striker Romelu Lukaku scored twice for Belgium as his side were made to work hard for their 3-0 win against Panama yesterday.
Belgium, fancied by many to reach the latter stages of the competition, toiled against the Group G minnows during a frustrating first half in Sochi.
Martinez’s men improved after half-time though, with Dries Mertens making the breakthrough at the start of the second half before Lukaku’s double gave the Belgian’s breathing space.
“I’m delighted. It was exactly what we expected - there are no easy games at the World Cup. We started very well but then became frustrated as the first half wore on,” said Martinez in his postmatch press conference.
“But I was delighted in the way the team reacted and the commitment everyone showed to keep a clean sheet.
“In the second half we found our composure and the goal from Dries Mertens, a great goal, was so important for us.
“In a World Cup, you have to play for 90 minutes and we had to be prepared to work hard, show maturity and real togetherness.”
In yesterday’s other match Andreas Granqvist took advantage of a VAR-awarded penalty to hand Sweden a 1-0 win over South Korea. The Sweden captain tucked home in the 65th minute of the Group F clash in after technology was used to rule that Viktor Claesson had been fouled in the area.