Hazard inspires Belgium at Euro 2016

Jun 26, 2016 - 11:04 PM Belgium captain Eden Hazard produced an inspired performance to lead his side to a 4-0 victory over Hungary at Euro 2016 and set up a quarter-final against Wales.

Hazard, who has finally burst into life at the tournament after a disappointing club season with Chelsea, set up one goal and scored another as Toby Alderweireld, Michy Batshuayi and Yannick Carrasco completed a comfortable victory.

"If he's feeling good, he's the best in the world," Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said of Hazard.

"The only thing we might have done better was kill the match off earlier."

Belgium dominated the opening stages and took the lead after 10 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne swung an inviting cross into the box where centre back Alderweireld rose at the far post to power a header past keeper Gabor Kiraly.

Substitute Batshuayi tapped home Hazard's low cross with 12 minutes remaining shortly after coming on before the Belgium skipper cut inside Hungary's box and rifled home a superb low strike for the third, with Carrasco grabbing a late fourth.

"It was an almost perfect match," said Hazard.

"We scored early and pressed very high up the field. It was what the fans want and what we call a real football match."

Hungary coach Bernd Storck praised Belgium's performance.

"We've never played against such a good team," he said.

The Hungarians, who lost key midfielder Lazlo Kleinheisler to injury in the warm-up, ceded the initiative early as Belgium found space and set the tone for the match.

Hungary were largely reduced to pot shots from distance, with Gergo Lovrencsics and Balazs Dzsudzsak both hoping in vain for a repeat of the latter's belter against Portugal.

With Belgium failing to kill off the game, Wilmots turned to Batshuayi, so far unused at the finals, after 76 minutes.

The switch paid off almost immediately as the highly regarded forward scored with his first touch, a simple finish following a sublime cross from Hazard in the 78th.

Just as De Bruyne had imposed himself during the opening stages of the match, so Hazard shone at the finale.

Ninety-four seconds later, the forward killed the game with a magnificent solo effort, cutting in from the left, evading two challenges and thumping the ball home from the edge of the area.

Belgium play Wales in Lille on Friday (Saturday AEST).

Source: AAP