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Romelu Lukaku

Belgium v Panama
THE opening match in Group G promises to deliver a fascinating contrast of styles. Belgium, for their part, go into the game with serious momentum after some impressive performances in their warm-up friendlies, and coach Roberto Martinez boasts a talented generation at the peak of its powers. His players bring solid international experience as well, with the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil™ and Uefa Euro 2016 under their belts, and they now hope to reach a whole new level in Russia.

As for Panama, they are set to embark on their first ever World Cup adventure but have no intention of giving Les Diables Rouges (Red Devils) an easy start. Coach Hernan Dario Gomez is wary of Belgium’s firepower and will be anxious for his side to keep things tight at the back, especially since neighbours Costa Rica suffered a heavy 4-1 loss to the European hopefuls in a friendly just a week ago.

Roberto Martinez is expected to begin the tournament with a 3-4-2-1 formation, fielding a three-man defence and tasking Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier with patrolling the flanks. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens will look to provide service for Romelu Lukaku and leave heads spinning in the Panama defence as often as possible.

For Panama, this opening game represents the most important match in their history. Their first ever World Cup opponents possess a number of gifted attacking players, but Los Canaleros (The Canal Men) will be determined to show their best by building on their defensive rigour and tactical discipline, while looking to get forward on the break.

Tunisia v England
England last win in a Fifa World Cup™ game is already something of a distant memory, so much so that many would struggle to remember the 1-0 victory against Slovenia almost eight years ago at South Africa 2010. Indeed, not a single player involved in that game in Port Elizabeth was named in the squad for Russia 2018.

Since Gareth Southgate took over, the Three Lions have enjoyed a fresh start with a host of new young faces in the line-up. In fact, only five players, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck, even travelled to Brazil four years ago. Now this rejuvenated England team will be attempting to end a four-game winless streak at the tournament when they take on Tunisia today at the Volgograd Arena.

Nevertheless, the north Africans will be far from pushovers and have ambitions of their own at the tournament. In recent friendlies, Tunisia have shown themselves to be tough and well-organised opponents.

In preparation for Russia 2018, Tunisia played a series of friendlies against top opposition, performing to an impressively high standard. They first managed to hold Portugal to a draw and then provided stern competition to Spain, who only ended up scoring in the game’s dying seconds. All the members of the squad are fit, including Wahbi Khazri and Ali Maaloul, which gives the coaching staff food for thought. The team are in a fighting and optimistic mood and the players are confident in their ability.

A positive start is of great importance to England, who had effectively booked their return trip from Brazil 2014 after just two games. Gareth Southgate’s men are focused, but perhaps equally importantly, relaxed. Mindset is key; Gary Cahill told us that at this stage of the competition, it’s 50 per cent talent, 50 per cent mental strength. The young squad is brimming with confidence and Southgate’s only dilemma is who to select in his starting XI. — Fifa