Chelsea star Eden Hazard bagged a brace for Belgium today, as did Manchester United man Romelu Lukaku, making them the first teammates to each score twice in the same World Cup game since Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle in the 2014 semi-final rout over Brazil. Belgium beat Tunisia 5-2 in a match that could have seen the Red Devils easily rack up seven goals had they finished more scoring chances properly.
Hazard scored from a penalty kick in the 6′ and then again in the 51′, the latter of which is certainly a site to behold. Take a look at the footage below:
https://twitter.com/FlFAWC2018/status/1010512931644198912
From an aesthetic perspective that is arguably the goal of the World Cup thus far. Just sublime!
And in case that video footage is not available in your location, here’s another link to the clip:
https://twitter.com/TheWorldGame/status/1010511628519948290
Belgium are now through to the knockout round, and they have looked as impressive as any side in the tournament thus far. Thursday will see them take on England in what is one of the most anticipated group stage matches of the tournament. Of course, Belgium can approach this game with a more relaxed attitude as they have already taken care of business.
Given how Belgium entered this tournament in that second tier of World Cup favorites, and how dominant they have looked so far, a deep run is now very much expected, when you look at how some of the other favorites are doing right now. Germany struggled out of the gate and badly need a result tonight. Argentina is in major trouble. Spain and Brazil have shown vulnerabilities, while England remains a mystery.
It could all very easily fall into place for Eden Hazard (who was subbed off early to rest today) and Belgium.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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