Belgium huffed and puffed in a goalless first half before finally blowing Panama's door down in the second with three goals.
Belgium found the breakthrough in the 47th minute through a stunning volley from Dries Mertens and doubled the advantage inside of 70 through the head of Romelu Lukaku, following a lovely move and outside-of-the-boot pass from Kevin De Bruyne.
Lukaku made it three just six minutes later, chipping Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo after being sent in alone by Eden Hazard via a through ball.
Three points and job done for Belgium, who move to the top of the Group G with England and Tunisia still to play.
Positives
Belgium did what everyone expected: beat Panama. They played dominant football, created a lot of opportunities and could have scored more. The outstanding volley from Mertens and the two goals from Lukaku were the difference and showed the quality and star power Belgium possess.
Negatives
"There are no easy games in a World Cup", said manager Roberto Martinez in his last news conference before the game. He was right, as Belgium found it difficult to break Panama's defensive wall in the first half.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Martinez started with the expected names but Belgium's stars found it difficult at first to find a hole in the Panama wall. After Belgium found the breakthrough early in the second half, Panama became an easy victim for the star-studded Belgian attack.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 6 -- Underemployed for the whole game -- as expected. Made an excellent save on a shot from Michael Murillo, the only chance Panama had.
DF Dedryck Boyata, 6 -- Had to replace the injured Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen and did nothing wrong here.
DF Jan Vertonghen, 6 -- The most experienced Belgium player with 102 caps, the Tottenham man looked to have everything under control. Asked a lot for the ball and received a yellow card for a bad foul.
DF Toby Alderweireld, 6 -- Rarely looked in any trouble. Solid and cleared a lot of balls or through himself in the way.
MF Axel Witsel, 6 -- Didn't have much to do during the game, as Panama's midfielders were just too weak to make it a difficult afternoon for the midfielder from Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 7 -- Invisible in the beginning. Shot wide over Panama's goal and produced nothing from his free kicks. Delivered an excellent assist with the right tip of the shoe to Lukaku for Belgium's second.
MF Yannick Carrasco, 6 -- Had the side's first shot on target, but it too weak to trouble Penedo. Kept on running before half-time but later lost his man, Murillo, who almost made Belgium pay.
MF Thomas Meunier, 6 -- Was booked with the first yellow card of the game after a foul on Jose Luis Rodriguez. Played very accurate passes and didn't make any mistakes.
FW Romelu Lukaku, 8 -- Had a difficult start, as Panama's defenders didn't give him any freedom. After only seven touches in the first half, his hard work paid off with two goals in the second half. Best man on the pitch.
FW Eden Hazard, 7 -- Was not good enough with an early left-footed shot from a tight angle after a Panama mistake. Was the man to watch for the Panama players after that and produced a superb assist on Lukaku's second goal.
FW Dries Mertens, 7 -- Very creative and worked very hard. No shots on target during the first half but scored a sublime goal with a dipping volley over the goalkeeper to open the scoring just two minutes into the second.
Substitutes
MF Moussa Dembele (for Yannick Carrasco, 74), N/R -- Helped to see the game out.
FW Thorgan Hazard (for Dries Mertens, 83), N/R -- Shared the pitch briefly with his older brother Eden, but made no real impact.
MF Nacer Chadli (for Axel Witsel, 90), N/R -- Only on for the final few minutes.