Younger Hazard shines

Seville – Belgium goal hero Thorgen Hazard (right) came out from under the shadow of brother Eden with the winner in a 1-0 win over Portugal in Seville on Sunday, ensuring his team a place in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals.

The Bundesliga-based winger took aim from outside the penalty area with a rasping shot, that swung left and then right through the air, before crashing into the net, to ensure Belgium’s progress from the last-16.

The first to congratulate him was elder brother Eden, the Belgian skipper, whose exploits contrasted with that of his younger sibling when he had to leave the pitch before the end of the game with a suspected muscle tear.

“Judging by the number of the messages I’ve had on my mobile, I do think it’s the most important goal of my career,” said Thorgen.

It was the second of the tournament for Thorgen, who now has eight goals for Belgium in 38 international appearances.

“It was not easy against the European champions. It was hard in the second half, but we defended well and we qualified, that’s the most important thing,” he added.

Belgium next face Italy in Munich on Friday.