Football
PA Sport 8y

Belgium's Eden Hazard hailed by boss Marc Wilmots after winning display

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots hailed the performance of captain Eden Hazard after his side's impressive victory over Hungary in the Euro 2016 round of 16 on Sunday. 

Belgium finally clicked into gear in the tournament to power to a last-eight meeting with Wales with a convincing 4-0 win in Toulouse. A number of Belgium players impressed, particularly Kevin De Bruyne in a central attacking role, but it was Hazard who stole the headlines.

Hazard was at his inspirational best in the victory. The Chelsea playmaker scored a superb solo goal and made another for Michy Batshuayi while Toby Alderweireld and Yannick Carrasco were also on target in an impressive display.

Speaking at his postmatch news conference, Wilmots 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.''

Belgium dominated the game but with 68 minutes between Alderweireld's 10th-minute opener and the second goal from Batshuayi, Hungary did create some chances and that concerned Wilmots.

Wilmots said: "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.''

After some disjointed performances in the group stages and heavy criticism, Belgium's display suggested their highly talented squad can be a coherent force in the tournament.

Hazard, however, did not want to get carried away.

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.''

Hungary coach Bernd Storck thought his side troubled Belgium.

Storck said: "The match could have gone either way in the second half. With a bit of luck we maybe could have scored the equaliser.

"But, of course, it's absolutely normal that we conceded some chances against such a strong opponent.''

Hungary came into the tournament with little expectations and Storck felt they could be proud of their efforts.

He said: "Congratulations to Belgium, but nevertheless I'm very happy about my team's performance at this Euro.

"They can leave this Euro with their heads held high. They achieved something amazing.

"The team knows how to play football, they are able to compete on the international stage.''

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