When quizzed about Panama’s robust style and a blaze of yellow cards which left Roberto Martinez fretting about the health of his captain, Eden Hazard, Roman Torres was baffled by the fuss. ‘Football is like that,’ he said.
‘You have to impose yourself,’ insisted Torres, the captain, 15-and-a-half stones of muscle and dreadlocks and a sporting icon for the boisterous fans of this tiny nation at its first World Cup. You have to mark out your territory. I don’t know what people are complaining about. We competed well against Belgium and when there were tackles they got stuck in as much as we did.’ Torres said.
At least, until Martinez voiced his fears about Hazard.. ‘My worry is that we lose the opportunity to enjoy the quality of a player like Eden,’ said the Belgium boss.
Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois echoed the sentiments of his boss. ‘We want beautiful football with the best players on the pitch,’ said Courtois. It’s a contract sport and there will always be tackles. We knew they were aggressive and give unnecessary kicks.’