Eden Hazard and Belgium cruised through their Euro 2016 Round of 16 tie with Hungary. The Chelsea FC midfielder finally put in the performance Chelsea fans have been waiting to see all season, earning unanimous man of the match honours.
Eden Hazard seems to have put his under-performance issues behind him. Hazard sparked the entire Belgian team to a 4-0 thrashing of Hungary, showing why the Red Devils were an early favorite to win Euro 2016.
The Hungarian defence was dreadful, making it that much easier for the Red Devils’ attack to cut through them like a hot knife in butter.
That takes nothing away from Hazard’s performance, which was reminiscent of 2014/15. After winning the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year, he hit rock bottom in his next season at Chelsea. He slowly started to re-emerge in the final run-in of Chelsea’s season.
The Top Flight
Last night, Hazard victimized the Hungarians to show that his recovery from the 2015/16 season is complete. In the first half of the match Hazard showed flashes of what was to come. He was still tentative at times, continuing his habit of turning back and passing rather than running at his man.
In the second half, he came alive.
Eden Hazard put on a clinical, complete, thrilling and seductive performance. Luring the Hungarian defence into tackle after tackle, he smoothly weaved past them at top speed.
On the 78th minute, just moments after he had come on as a substitute, Michy Batshuayi (another Chelsea target) found himself on the end of more Hazard brilliance.
Latching onto a cleared corner, the mercurial winger slid it past the nearest defender (sorry, but he was probably trying to pass). Fizzing in a perfect left-footed cross, Hazard left Batshuayi the simplest of tap-ins.
Worthy of a celebration like that.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 26, 2016
First touch = goal.
Take a bow Batshuayi!#HUNBEL https://t.co/ONsWdjbCns
The highlight of the game was Hazard’s solo goal. Just look at it in all its glory:
You could almost see the moment when he just thinks “this is it, I fancy a goal now”.
His performance had zero deficiencies. For his and Chelsea’s sake, let’s hope Belgium’s training staff keeps him fresh, recovered and injury-free coming out of Euro 2016 this summer.
.@hazardeden10: MotM vs Hungary & our first perfect 10 of Euro 2016 @belgianfootball pic.twitter.com/TPL9c1Ho2U
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 26, 2016
11 dribbles in one match! The confidence, or lack thereof, that ravaged his season appeared back. The glint in his eye and cheeky grin had returned, too.
The footballing world’s reaction was unanimous:
MOM tonight by a mile tonight - @hazardeden10 Barely played all season so he looks fresh! #HUNBEL #EURO2016
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 26, 2016
What a performance from Hazard. One of the best displays this Euro's. Goal didn't even matter, that was just extra gravy.
— . (@xJude22) June 26, 2016
Stunning goal by Hazard. When he's good he's bloody good.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 26, 2016
It may be a year overdue, but Eden Hazard is on fire #CFC #EURO2016
— The Pride of London (@PrideOLondon) June 26, 2016
The Hungarian defenders will be having nightmares of the Belgian winger running past them. Chelsea fans, on the other hand, will be dreaming about what will happen at Stamford Bridge next year if Antonio Conte gives Eden Hazard a free role behind Diego Costa.
Next: Chelsea transfer target Alvaro Morata wants to 'feel important'