Hazard drives Belgium into the last eight with magical display
EDEN HAZARD led by example as he fired Belgium into a quarter-final showdown with Wales with a stunning performance. The Chelsea midfielder was the star as the Belgians finally showed why they are ranked No.2 in the world. After Toby Alderweireld got Belgium off to a flying start with a thumping header in the tenth minute, Hazard set up substitute Michy Batshuayi to make it 2-0 in the 77th minute and then added a brilliant third goal himself two minutes later. It was a sensational display by the Belgians, who now face Wales in Lille on Friday. Only the goalkeeping of Hungary’s keeper Gabor Kiraly kept the scoreline down, although the Hungarians played their part in a cracking game and could have scored too. But it was Belgium who started quickly when Alderweireld scored after only ten minutes. Kevin de Bruyne ahd already set up a chance for Romelu Lukaku that was well saved by Gabor Kiraly, who then dived to save another ling shot by the Manchester City midfielder. It could have been 5-0 by half time but for Kiraly, the Pyjama Man with the baggy grey tracksuit bottoms. He kept De Bruyne at bay from close range, and then saved well from Dries Mertens. Substitute Yannick Carrasco rounded off the scoring in the final minute. HUNGARY: (4-2-3-1): Kiraly 8; Kadar 6, Guzmics 6, Junasz 6, Lang 7; Nagy 7, Gera 6 (Elek 46min); Lovrencsics 7, Pinter 6, Dzsudzsak 7; Szalai 6. Booked: Lang, Kadar, Elek. BELGIUM: (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Meunier 6, Alderweireld 7, Vermaelen 6, Vertonghen 7; Witsel 6, Nainggolan 7, Mertens 6 Carrasco 69), De Bruyne 8, Hazard 9 (Fellaini 81); Lukaku 6. Booked: Vermaelen, Fellaini. Man of the match: Eden Hazard. Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia).
GERRY COX