Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is an early contender for the Golden Boot Award of the 2018 World Cup following his second half brace in Belgium's 3-0 win over Panama on Monday evening.

The Belgium number nine struggled in the first half, touching the ball only seven times (seven fewer than any other player on the pitch) including four unsuccessful passes, according to stats from OPTA.

Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has said that Lukaku was able to score two goals in the second stanza because he made himself available and the Belgian team created more chances.

Speaking as an analyst on SuperSport, Siasia said : ''Sometimes, he's running awkward, he had to put himself in a better position going to goal. The second goal was from a very impossible angle, that's very good for him.''

The USA 1994 World Cup star added : ''Yes, they did (create more chances in the second half). The likes of De Bruyne and Hazard, those are the guys who are supposed to be giving those last passes because they are actually very good at it but they didn't give him those balls most of the time.

''The first half, people thought it was the defense. He has to change the way he runs, to try and get those balls in open space.''

After thirteen matches at the 2018 World Cup, Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading scorer in the tournament with 3 goals after notching a hat-trick vs Spain.