Belgium captain Eden Hazard believes his country’s participation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia was successful in spite of their semi-final loss to France last Tuesday.
Belgium defeated England 2-0 in the third place playoff decided at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Saturday with the Chelsea star scoring his team’s second goal and subsequently named Man of the Match for the encounter.
Full back Thomas Meunier gave Roberto Martinez’s side a first half lead before Hazard sealed the win with an emphatic finish after collecting a good pass from Kevin DeBryune. The former Lille star said:
“Definitely, this tournament has been a success for us,” said Hazard.
“We are always sad to lose the semi final (game) but we did well three days after to win this game so now the most important thing is to look forward for the future and I hope the future will be better than today.”
Saturday’s victory made it the first time ever that Belgium would finish in the first three of a World Cup tournament. Hazard, 27, was proud of the feat.
He was also quick to warn oppositions that the current squad will be better and ready to face other oppositions in 2020.
“For the fans in Belgium, today we created a history – the first time we finish third in the World Cup.
“I’m very proud for the boys, for the country, I’m just happy to play in this team and I think in two years, we’ll be better,” said Hazard.
By the virtue of Belgium’s victory over the Three Lions, the Red Devils earned 24 million dollars as their total performance money from the World Cup, two million up from the last edition in Brazil.
Fisayo Dairo reporting from Moscow
