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Mon, 18 June 2018
World Cup: Belgium edge debutants Panama 3-0
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22:28 Lukaku scores brace
Romelu Lukaku stars with a brace in Belgium's opening win as they beat debutants Panama 3-0.
With 4 minutes added time Panama try to make a forward move but they lack in finishing.
Panama's finishing not up to standard and lose 3-0.
Belgium take home 3 points.
According to FIFA, Ismael Diaz has become the only Panamanian to play in three different FIFA World Cup categories: U-17 in United Arab Emirates (2013), U-20 in New Zealand (2015) and now at senior level in Russia.
Panama have picked up 5 yellow cards in the match already.
De Bruyne now picks a yellow and hands Panama a free-kick.
Escobar takes it but Courtois does well to get a hold of it.
22:08 Lovely run by Hazard and nice finish by Lukaku
Panama make a change as Tejada comes in for Perez and Dembele comes in for Carrasco for the Red Devils.
And Belgium score on the break.
Witsel plays the ball forward and Hazard runs with the ball, makes an accurate pass to Lukaku who places the ball into an empty net to put Belgium 3-0 up.
22:02 Panama now have a lot of work to do
Lukaku scores a close range header.
Well set up by Belgium and Lukaku gets his 3rd World Cup goal. VAR taken to see it was off-side but the goal stands and Belgium double their lead.
Another foul and Belgium are awarded a free-kick.
De Bruyne takes it and hammers it into the wall.
Panama make 2 changes.
In the 53rd minute Panama's Murillo times a perfect run but is kept out by Mertens defender and the equaliser is everted.
Belgium's Vertonghen has got a yellow.
21:41 Belgium 1 Panama 0
After struggling to find the final touches in the first half, Belgium have found the lead just two minutes after the break.
A melee inside the box and Dries Mertens's superb volley gives Belgium the lead in the 47th minute.
21:22 Panama keep Red Devils at bay
Belgium have kept the pressure but Panama have done an exceptional job to keep a clean sheet in the first half.
The Red Devils had 7 corners to Panama's 2 but have not been able to make the most of it.
Panama keeper comes out to deny Lukaku. Very well done!
Belgium have clearly dominated the first session but Panama's defence has been equal to the task.
Two minutes of extra time added to the clock and Hazard denied while making a lone foray into the box.
Another corner for Belgium as Escobar heads it out.
Panama apply pressure on the break, get a corner but there is nothing.
Belgium have four corners against Panama but the debutants are doing well to keep the Belgians at bay.
De Bryune takes the free-kick in the 28th minute as Lukaku and Escobar get a dressing down from the ref.
De Bruyne's free-kick goes over the post and Belgium get a corner but to no effect.
20:54 De Bruyne misses
De Bruyne nearly nets in the 21st minute but Torres did well to keep it out.
Belgium's Lukaku has had just three touches on the ball so far.
Panama's Eric Davis gets booked.
Corner taken and Meatens takes a shot on goal. He is ummarked but slots into the side of the net.
Belgium are putting early pressure on the Panama defence.
Twelve minutes into the game and they have created two chances.
Although Belgium have possession and have forayed ahead a majority of times, Panama doing well to give no space to the opposition to get too far ahead.
The first booking is come up and as Belgium's Munuer gets a yellow.
20:31 Panama make World Cup debut
Dedryck Boyata will replace the injured Vincent Kompany at the heart of the Belgium defence for their Group G opener against Panama on Monday.
With Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen injured, Boyata was chosen to start in a talent-packed side that includes Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku.
Panama, who are playing their first ever World Cup match, start with a 4-1-4-1 formation with 37-year old striker Blas Perez, who scored the goal that secured their qualification, leading the line up front.
England and Tunisia are also in Group G and play each other later on Monday.
01:29 World Cup: Switzerland hold Brazil
Deep into injuery time and Neymar is fouled for the umpteenth time and is awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area.
He chips the ball into the path of three charging Brazilians, there's a shot and a resultant save.
The Swiss are seconds away from rescuing a point tonight.
Full-time! Switzerland have done the unthinkable and forced the fancied Brazilians to a draw.
Today was quite simply the day of the underdogs of this World Cup.
For the first time in 40 years, Brazil have failed to win their first game of a World Cup.
01:23 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 1
Down to the last few seconds of regulation time and Brazil are denied on two separate occasions.
First Fernandinho's header from inside the six yard box off Neymar's cross forces a reflexive save by the Swiss keeper.
Less than a minute later Miranda finds room to shoot but his effort deflects off a Swiss player and inches wide of the goal. So close!
01:18 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 1
Down to the last five minutes of the game and Brazil are now stepping up their efforts in their hunt for the all important winner.
Neymar goes close on two separate occasions and the Swiss are now hoping on for dear life and that crucial point
Image: Neymar Jr of Brazil is tackled by Blerim Dzemaili of Switzerland
Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
01:01 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 1
Seventy minutes gone and Brazil squander a glorious chance to reclaim their lead.
Neymar's inch-perfect cross finds its way to Coutinho inside the box who chests it down and blasts a shot wide of the far post.
00:49 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 1
Switzerland have pulled level in the game with a goal off a set-piece. Zuber is on hand to head home from inside the penalty area to make it 1-1 while the entire Brazilian defense is claiming foul play.
The referee is not to impressed and the goal stands. VAR will have to wait for another day.
Goal! Brazil 1-Switzerland 1
There has been a distinct lack of urgency in the way Brazil have been playing until now and despite the fact that the Swiss goal came against the run of play, the onus is now on the Brazilians to up the ante.
00:26 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 0 at halftime
It's halftime and Brazil have a slender 1-0 lead going into the break.
Their antics seemingly effortless at time, Brazil look the part against the Swiss and took the lead through an absolute beauty from Coutinho - hands down one of the best goal of the World Cup so far.
00:10 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 0
Half an hour in the clock and it's all one way traffic with Brazil turning on the style in their trademark fashion.
Image: Philippe Coutinho of Brazil celebrates after scoring his team's first goal
Photograph: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
00:06 World Cup: Brazil 1 vs Switzerland 0
Brazil look like their team of old with some fluid football.
There haven't been many attempts on goal but the Swiss have been kept busy as the Samba boys have had the major share of possession and looks like it is only a matter of time before they double their advantage
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