Belgium proved too strong for minnows Hungary in Toulouse on Sunday advancing to the quarter-finals following a 4-0 win.
The Belgian Red Devils were expected to sweep past Hungary as they build up a head of steam as the tournament reaches the business end.
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne had the first shot at goal but his 20m effort sailed over Gabor Kiraly’s goal. Kiraly was called into action shortly afterwards as he stood tall to deny Romelu Lakuku’s effort on target. The Everton striker just slipping at the key moment before shooting.
Toby Alderweireld made it third time lucky in the 1oth minute as he powered home his header from De Bruyne’s free kick.
De Bruyne’s attempt to go from assist-maker to goalscorer was thwarted by Kiraly after Lukaku sent his Premier League colleague clear with just 15 minutes played.
It was all Belgium as De Bruyne and captain Eden Hazard attacked at will as Hungary scrambled in defence to keep the score at just the one goal.
Hungary had one decent chance, coming from the in-form Dzsudzsak but Thibaut Courtois defended his line well, diving low to keep his side in front.
De Bruyne then hit the bar with a free kick after Kiraly dived sensationally to his left to deny the City star.Dries Mertens, starting in place of Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco, forced Kiraly into yet another save as the Belgians headed into the break a goal to the good and with a number of very good chances at extending that margin.
At the break, Belgium had a staggering 16 shots, with 8 on target, as they dominated proceedings.
Both sides struggled to capitalise on a number of chances as they second half was playing in a high tempo, both teams attacking at will. Courtois for his part, did his job in keeping his side in the lead with a strong display at the back.
Hazard and De Bruyne again began to pull the strings as they searched for the goal that would put them into an unassailable lead.
Lukaku made way for Michy Batshuayi in the 76th minute. The move proved to be a masterstroke as the substitute tapped home Hazard’s cross from point blank range in the 78th minute. The Chelsea winger proving his class as he created the goal out of nothing before providing his teammate his first goal at Euro 2016.
Barely a minute later, Hazard struck. The Belgian captain capping a wonderful evening as his side completed a box to box to counter to add a third goal. Hazard cut across the edge of the area, in the process beating three defenders before firing past Kiraly, sending his side’s fans into jubilant roars.
Coach Marc Wilmots opted to rest Hazard for the final 10 minutes, both sets of fans rising to applaud Hazard from the field.
Carrasco made it four, the biggest win of the tournament, after being sent clear by Radja Nainggolan in the 90th minute putting the gloss on a perfect display.
