‘No concern’ as Hazard limps off
MARTINEZ: HE’S VERY STRONG, HE JUST HAD A DEAD LEG
Lukaku scores twice as Belgium romp to victory.
Brussels
Belgium made light of injury to Eden Hazard in their last warm-up before the World Cup on Monday, the Chelsea star limping off in the 4-1 defeat of Costa Rica in Brussels.
Hazard was forced off in the 70th minute after an apparent knock to his right ankle as Belgium sparkled against their fellow finalists with a powerful brace from Romelu Lukaku.
While Red Devil fans will have looked on concerned, Hazard’s team-mates and manager dispelled fears of the injury having an impact on the 27-year-old Hazard’s World Cup.
“I’m not too worried about Eden, he’s a tough guy. He gets kicked all the time, but soon gets over it,” said Lukaku.
Dries Martens, who also got on the scoresheet, tapping in Hazard’s deflected shot, added: “Eden? We’ll see, he’s strong, I reckon he’ll be okay.”
And coach Roberto Martinez declared there was “nothing to worry about. He’s very strong, he just had a dead leg towards the end of the match”.
Hazard’s brother, Belgium team-mate Thorgan, told Belgian newspaper SudPresse: “It was a little knock. He’ll be fine. I have to say sorry as it was on one of my passes that it happened.”
SudPresse reported that Hazard boarded a private jet to London after the match with Belgium due to fly to Russia today.
Martinez’s multi-talented side, missing injured defender Vincent Kompany, were just too much for Costa Rica, who opened brightly and even took the lead through Bryan Ruiz with a slick finish.
But Belgium, who beat Egypt 3-0 last week with a world-class Hazard pulling the strings, were 2-1 up by half-time thanks to goals from Mertens and Lukaku.
The giant Manchester United target man got his second with a powerful header after running into space at great speed.
He then set up strike partner Michy Batshuayi for the fourth and the pair did a little dance to celebrate.
This will have proved unpleasant viewing for Belgium’s Group G rivals England, Tunisia and Panama, who they face in their opening game in Sochi next Monday. –