The latest set of international games gave coaches a chance to try new players and tactics. With the World Cup fast approaching we look at how England’s opponents got on.

Belgium

What went well? Belgium’s attack combined beautifully in the 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The outstanding Kevin De Bruyne scored and contributed an assist from central midfield and Eden Hazard was a constant menace, creating Romelu Lukaku’s second goal with an electrifying dribble. Lukaku’s hold-up play was excellent, as was his end product, and Michy Batshuayi scored a fine goal after replacing Hazard.

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Saudi Arabia were grateful not to have conceded more and Roberto Martínez was pleased that his team kept a clean sheet. Simon Mignolet, who deputised for the injured Thibaut Courtois, made a good save when the game was goalless, Axel Witsel worked hard in front of the back three and Vincent Kompany came through the first half unscathed, while the home fans were delighted to see Radja Nainggolan come on in the 59th minute. Nainggolan has clashed with Martínez in recent months but the Roma midfielder remains a popular figure.

What did not go well? Concerns that Belgium’s defence will suffer against better opponents have not gone away. Toby Alderweireld has not played much for Tottenham Hotspur since recovering from a hamstring injury and the centre-back looked rusty, and Martínez’s persistence with the attacking Yannick Carrasco at left wing-back is an accident waiting to happen.

Carrasco’s lack of positional awareness was targeted before he was replaced by Anthony Limbombe at half-time but he does not have many rivals for the role. Limbombe has one cap and Jordan Lukaku, who was unavailable, does not convince.

With Dries Mertens receiving criticism for not tracking back enough, Belgium will have to work on their shape. Saudi Arabia could have scored twice, with Mignolet fortunate not to concede a penalty when it was 2-0 in the second half, and there was a feeling that leaving Mousa Dembélé on the bench and playing De Bruyne as part of a two in central midfield placed too much defensive responsibility on Witsel’s shoulders.

Tactics used? Martínez’s 3-4-3 system gives Hazard freedom to roam but it can leave Belgium open at the back.

Player to watch? Kevin De Bruyne Jacob Steinberg

Tunisia

What went well? Several things. Most significantly, the four players recruited since qualification blended well into the team. There were fears that the manager’s decision to lure a raft of France-born players might upset team harmony but instead Tunisia seem to have grown. Saîf-Eddine Khaoui and Ellyes Skhiri added more inventiveness to midfield, slightly lessening the team’s reliance on Youssef Msakni for creativity. Yohan Benalouane augmented defensive options and Mouez Hassen looked a viable option as goalkeeper, even if he was not often tested in the 1-0 win over Costa Rica. In addition, Wahbi Khazri, who normally plays wide for his country, did well as a central striker. He plays that role for his club, Rennes, but disappointed when tried in it in the first half of Friday’s win over Iran. Throughout Tuesday’s victory Tunisia were slick and enterprising, just as they were in the second half against Iran (when Khazri reverted to his usual spot on the flank). The manager, Nabil Maâloul, said he wanted his team to play on the front foot at the World Cup and drew encouragement from these two friendlies.

What did not go well? Question marks remain about the defence, which was not truly tested against Costa Rica but did give up chances on the counterattack, all the same. It is still not clear who will partner Yassine Meriah in central defence. The goalkeeping spot remains an issue, as Aymen Mathlouthi, the No 1 throughout qualifying, is out of favour at his club and Hassen and Farouk Ben Mustapha are relatively inexperienced at the highest level.

Tactics used? The manager favours a 4-2-3-1, with all three of the attacking midfielders technically excellent. Tunisia are especially strong on the left flank, where the full-back Ali Maâloul raids continually, combining well with Msakni or Naïm Sliti.

Player to watch? Msakni is magical on his day. Sliti and Khaoui can also be creative and Khazri’s canny movement and sharp shooting made him an effective striker against Costa Rica. Paul Doyle

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Saîf-Eddine Khaoui, who is playing for Troyes on loan from Marseille, made a positive impact against Costa Rica. Photograph: Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images

Panama

What went well? Panama’s successes were confined to the 1-0 defeat in Denmark, where they looked comfortable for long periods and denied players such as Christian Eriksen room to play. In that game they started on the front foot and showed that, when playing at a high tempo, they can unsettle opponents. Hernán Darío Gómez was pleased with their adaptation to a 3-4-3 system and they enjoyed a certain degree of success with strong running down the flanks, while inside-forward Édgar Joel Bárcenas made an impression in both games with some smart footwork.

What did not go well? “We were stripped naked” said Gómez after the 6-0 thrashing by Switzerland, and nobody could have put it better. Panama flailed against their opponents’ passing and movement, perhaps suggesting that a poor pitch in Brondby had contributed to their frustrating Denmark. This time Panama looked a yard slower all over the pitch; their three centre-backs appeared horribly immobile and it was a night to forget for Román Torres, who scored the goal that took them to Russia 2018 but was responsible for concessions at least twice in Lucerne. Nine of Panama’s squad are in their 30s; against Denmark they fielded two 37-year-olds in the defender Felipe Baloy and the striker Blas Pérez, and although the former performed well there are clear concerns over their ability to summon the stamina needed for a first World Cup campaign. “It’s a young football country and we qualified before our time,” continued Gómez, who was left to wonder which of his team’s performances reflected their true level.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Panama coach Hernán Dario Gómez gives his players instructions during the heavy defeat in Switzerland. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Tactics used? Panama looked to press high against Denmark, their wing-backs Erick Davis and Michael Murillo adopting advanced starting positions and seeing plenty of involvement. They looked at their best when the 3-4-3 was exactly that – not the 5-4-1 it gradually became as Denmark took control in the second half and that it resembled for virtually the entire match in Switzerland. Attempts by their defenders to step out and win possession high up met mixed success: when Román Torres tried it he misjudged the situation and Breel Embolo scored. Rashness manifested itself in other ways too: Panama are a physically imposing side and certainly sought to let Denmark know it, Pérez’s red card for an awful challenge on Kasper Schmeichel an unsurprising culmination of several overenthusiastic tackles. They do have one joker to play: Adolfo Machado possesses the kind of long throw that may strike fear into English hearts.

Player to watch? Édgar Joel Bárcenas, the right winger who could cause any defence problems this summer. Nick Ames

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Dries Mertens takes on the Saudi Arabia defence, but the Napoli player has been criticised for not doing tracking back enough. Photograph: Isopix/REX/Shutterstock