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Football

18th Jun 2018

WATCH: Dries Mertens scores screamer for Belgium against Panama

Goal of the tournament contender right here

Wayne Farry

What have we done to deserve such riches?

This World Cup has been such a treat that we cannot seem to turn our heads in any direction without seeing an absolutely stunning goal being scored.

It feels like every single game has had a cracker of a goal – which patently isn’t true – but thankfully for those of us watching every single game imaginable, there was one in Belgium’s tie against Panama.

The central American giants managed to stifle Belgium’s creative talents throughout the entirety of the first half, clearly frustrating Roberto Martinez’ side in the process, but when the ball dropped for the Napoli striker, they had no answer for it.

Responding to a falling ball after a bit of frantic head tennis in the Panama box, Mertens decided to have a little go and swing his foot beautifully at the ball.

https://twitter.com/WorldCupPost/status/1008745077936676864

Panama’s goalkeeper, just like everyone else watching, stood still, left utterly awe struck by what he had seen. Who could blame him? The ball looped over his head, landing beautifully into the net with that ‘whooosh’.

The goal got Belgium on the way and they ended up winning comfortably thanks to two subsequent Romelu Lukaku goals.