Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld, Yannick Carrasco and Michy Batshuayi were all on the scoresheet last night as Belgium thrashed Hungary 0-4 to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Belgium finally hit top form in the tournament, and showed why they were ranked number 2 in the world rankings. Les Diables Rouges put up a superb display at the Stadium Municipal de Toulouse against Hungary to seal a quarterfinal spot, where they will come up against Wales.
Marc Wilmots prasies Hazard
Wilmots was all praise for his captain after his sensational performance. Hazard now has 3 assists and a goal in the tournament. According to ESPN, he said, “A captain can’t always do his talking with his mouth — sometimes you have to do your talking with your feet and that’s what he did today.”
However, Wilmots was well aware of the chances that his side squandered and he made his displeasure at the scoreline, warning that they would get punished in the bigger games. “We should have been at least 3-0 up at half-time, we kept the game at 1-0 too long. We scored the second and third goals very quickly but we needed a lot of chances and in big games you don’t get as many chances, you get punished,” he said.
Regardless of all the praise he received, Hazard, humbly insisted that there was still a long way to go for his side. He said, “For the time being we have achieved nothing, we are just in the quarters and we will take it one game at a time. As a team I feel we were really solid today. We made a lot of chances, and didn’t give them too many.”
However, Hazard’s Chelsea teammate Thibaut Courtois, was full of praise for his captain, insisting that this was the Hazard everyone wanted to see. Courtois said, “He played very well today and that’s the Eden Hazard we want to see. Off the pitch we have as well a lot of players with a lot of experience that lead the team as well, but he’s a good captain and I don’t think it gives him extra pressure.”
Bernd Storck was proud
Minnows Hungary had surprised everyone with their performances in the tournament before their fairytale run was eventually ended last night. A shock victory against Austria and an intensely fought draw against Portugal helped them qualify to the knockout rounds unbeaten before losing to Belgium.
But coach Bernd Storck was proud of his men. He said, “We can leave with our heads held high. We have never played against a side like that. But we have learnt a great deal for the future and I really enjoyed the match, particularly the second half when we could have equalised.”
He said that he had spoken to his team about being braver during halftime and mentioned that there was a lack of confidence in his side. However, he was hopeful for the future of Hungarian football –
“But we didn’t give up and we were left a little open at the back. They showed they can play football, they no longer look backwards and have a bright future. I was always aware of the potential performance of my side, we really progressed,” he said. [via Eurosport]
There was a lot of well deserved praise for the Belgian captain on social media after his fine display:
Arsenal fans labelling Eden Hazard as a “fraud”, but deep down they’d love to swap Sanchez and Ozil + £50m to acquire his services.
— Dami (@TheChelseaWay) June 26, 2016
Eden Hazard superb tonight. By far his best ever performance for Belgium. Individually great and played within the team. Magic goal. #cfc
— John Chapman (@BelgoFoot) June 26, 2016
Ronald de Boer: “Eden Hazard is a footballer that makes me want to come out of retirement and play football again. Beautiful.” [Fox]
— Babs (@BabatundeCASH) June 26, 2016
Eden Hazard: Completed at least 3 more successful dribbles (11) vs Hungary than any other player has in a Euro 2016 match #BEL
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 26, 2016
When he’s not masquerading as an insufferable bottle job, Eden Hazard is a rare treat to behold. Moves past players like a fine mist.
— Who Ate All The Pies (@waatpies) June 26, 2016
We can’t vouch for the originality, but it surely mustn’t be that far from the truth
Exclusive images of Antonio Conte watching Eden Hazard #CFC pic.twitter.com/2VxrsKKOai
— Wolé II (@Kingwole) June 26, 2016
Eden Hazard is from another planet…..#Chelsea
— Bridge News (@cfc_wale) June 26, 2016
I am blessed to have Eden Hazard playing at the club I support
— James (@VintageChelsea) June 26, 2016
Best individual performance of the Euro’s yet. Safe to say I think Eden Hazard is back in form
— Adam (@Adamlilley18) June 26, 2016
Everyone watching this Eden Hazard performance.. pic.twitter.com/pddKqsEkRc
— talkingbaws (@talkingbaws) June 26, 2016
Eden Hazard is unbelievable. Doesn’t have to add assists or goals to his game to prove when he has a great performance.
— ♛AÖ♕ (@AssistantOzil) June 26, 2016
“It’s been a privilege to watch you.”
— commentator on Eden Hazard.— Marshad (@BeardedMagician) June 26, 2016
Fantastic goal, fantastic performance, really pleased for Eden Hazard, world class!! #EURO2016
— Gigi Salmon (@gigi_salmon) June 26, 2016
Jose Mourinho watching Eden Hazard’s performance tonight. https://t.co/lrb8E5qFuo
— Fans Of Sport (@FansOfSport) June 26, 2016
Over 700 #BEL tournament minutes later, Eden Hazard has scored a goal! #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/1LSx64Jah2
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 26, 2016
You’d think Eden Hazard was playing Spurs.
— David Hepworth (@davidhepworth) June 26, 2016
EDEN HAZARD STOP THAT NOW YOU DISGUSTING MAN
— Jack G. King (@Jack_TheJobber) June 26, 2016
BREAKING. Metropolitan police have called off the search for Eden Hazard. He has been found safe and well in France #EURO2016 #BEL
— Pie Sports Booze (@piesportsbooze) June 26, 2016
But remember, and never forget, because Arsenal fans are always right: ‘Eden Hazard is overrated’.
— Kelvin Barker (@ChelseaKelv) June 26, 2016
Eden Hazard please pic.twitter.com/KeDB2rPd7M
— ICY BOMB (@icybomb_) June 26, 2016
What an incredible performance from Eden Hazard
— Phil Thompson (@Phil_Thompson4) June 26, 2016
Eden Hazard deserves that goal. One of the best performances of this tournament. Elevated his game to carry Belgium through. Fully deserved.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) June 26, 2016
Courtois’s inability to control the ball nearly saw him concede the goal, but the Chelsea keeper was let off as the ball rolled harmlessly wide. He wasn’t let off easy by the fans though,
Courtois slipping like the value of the pound #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/56EUMg4AJZ
— George (@WorldOfGeorge) June 26, 2016
Thibaut Courtois that was close….#HUNBEL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/P0kH3YXeGR
— Onefootball (@Onefootball) June 26, 2016
the comparisons began..
Courtois mocking Steven Gerrard at the Euros. Proper Chels.
— #EurosDaily (@CarefreeDaily) June 26, 2016
Live shots of Courtois during Belgium vs Hungary #BELhttps://t.co/hmPWqxIczP pic.twitter.com/0S2eqE10J4
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 26, 2016
Courtois is the Belgian Mignolet
— ㅤ (@Mirxlem) June 26, 2016
