World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Panama, 5 Talking Points

#3 Panama displayed remarkable defensive solidity in the first half, fell away in the second

Panama kept tabs on Belgium's stars in the first half

Panama managed to keep the most lethal of attacks and the most dominant of midfields, in Russia, at bay for the entirety of the opening forty-five minutes.

Belgium were heavy favourites to not just win the game but also heavily damage Panama's goal-difference. Although that's how it turned out to be in the end, the minnows showed great heart, kept a good shape, and prevented Belgium from grabbing the game by the scruff of its neck. Belgium were starting to get frustrated at their inability to open up the opposition defence.

However, once they went a goal down to the staggering Dries Mertens' volley, they had to overhaul their strategy for the remainder of the game and pushed forward, in numbers, in the hope of finding the leveller.

This afforded Belgium space and the time to pick Panama apart on the counter and before you knew it, the minnows were staring down the barrel of a 3-0 scoreline.