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Belgium's creativity and power proved too much for World Cupdebutants Panama as the Group G favorites overcame the heroics of goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and a massed defense to run out 3-0 winners Monday.
It took a wonderful dipping volley from Dries Mertens on the right-hand edge of the area just after halftime to break the deadlock, however, giving Penedo no chance after a first half in which he had defied Mertens, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.
Hazard laid the ball off to Kevin De Bruyne who flipped a diagonal ball with the outside of his foot through for a lurking Lukaku to head home in the 69th minute.
The Manchester United striker made it 3-0 in the 75th, latching on to a through pass from Hazard and chipping over Penedo.
Belgium, unbeaten in their last 20 matches, will now be full of confidence for games against Tunisia and England.
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