Belgium recovered from a drab first half to power past Panama 3-0 in the World Cup Group G opener.

Dries Mertens broke the deadlock with a sensational volley two minutes into the second half.

Kevin De Bruyne’s excellent outside-of-the-boot cross for Romelu Lukaku doubled the advantage for Roberto Martinez’s men in the 69th minute.

Six minutes later, Eden Hazard set up the Manchester United striker for his second on the counter-attack that sealed the points for the Red Devils.