Brilliant Belgians march into last four after dismantling Hangarians

BELGIUM produced their best performance of Euro 2016 to power into the quarter-finals with a convincing 4-0 win over Hungary.

Toby Alderweireld set up victory with an early header before the brilliant Eden Hazard teed-up substitute Michy Batshuayi for the second after 78 minutes and then scored a superb solo goal himself.

Yannick Carrasco wrapped up victory in Toulouse in injury-time.

After some disjointed performances earlier in the tournament, this was a display that marked out the highlyrated Belgium as serious contenders in France.

Hungary did trouble them in spells, but they were generally outclassed.

The impressive Kevin de Bruyne, revelling in a central role behind Romelu Lukaku, linked superbly with Lukaku throughout, asking questions of Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly early on.

Hungary tried to tighten up and they did launch some sporadic attacks, with Balasz Dzsudzsak getting in one shot at Thibaut Courtois, but Belgium remained on the front foot.

De Bruyne headed at Kiraly from a Lukaku cross and then forced a brilliant save from Kiraly from a freekick, with the former Crystal Palace goalkeeper tipping onto the crossbar. The wider forwards, Hazard and Dries Mertens, were also heavily involved in the attacks and the former teed-up the latter but again Kiraly produced a good save.

Belgium were almost caught out when Gergo Lovrenesics thundered a fierce drive just over but normal service seemed to be resumed when Hazard tested Kiraly after a powerful run straight after the break.

But Hungary, summoning the spirit of their dramatic 3-3 draw with Portugal, fought back and worried Belgium for a spell.

Adam Szalai shot over and Courtois needed to back-pedal to push over a deflected effort from Adam Pinter. Roland Juhasz then twice went close as he flashed a low shot across goal after a free-kick found its way to him on the right and he headed a corner wide.

Belgium decided to send on Batshuayi for Lukaku and it paid instant dividends, although his goal owed much to the brilliance of Hazard.

Hazard lost his man on the left with a superb change of pace and his low ball into the box presented Batshuayi with an unmissable chance in front of goal.

Hazard was not finished there and went even better two minutes later, easing past defenders as he cut in from the left and then curled a low shot inside the far post from 18 yards.