Panama will not be using Iceland’s shock draw against Argentina as motivation after boss Hernan Dario Gomez insisted Belgium are superior to Lionel Messi’s men ahead of their World Cup debut.
Newcomers Panama have an entire nation behind them as they prepare to make history against a star-studded Belgium side boasting Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in Sochi on Monday.
Fellow debutants Iceland – who reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals – marked their first World Cup appearance by holding Argentina to a 1-1 Group D draw.
Asked if Panama could replicate Iceland’s result in the Group G clash at Fisht Stadium, head coach Gomez told reporters on Sunday: “I’m not ruling it out. Anything can happen. Iceland had a good run at the Euros.