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Captain Eden Hazard inspired Belgium to a resounding 4-0 victory over Hungary at Euro 2016 yesterday, setting up a quarter-final clash with Wales.
Hazard set up one goal and scored another as Toby Alderweireld, Michy Batshuayi and Yannick Carrasco completed a comfortable victory.
Belgium dominated the opening stages and took the lead after 10 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne swung an inviting cross into the box where centre back Alderweireld rose at the far post to power his header past Hungary keeper Gabor Kiraly.
Substitute Batshuayi tapped home Hazard’s low cross with 12 minutes remaining shortly after coming on.
The Chelsea player cut inside the Hungary box and then rifled home a superb finish for the third before Carrasco grabbed a late goal.
Meanwhile, Euro 2016’s joint top scorer Alvaro Morata has said he expects Spain to be taken to the limit by old foes Italy if they are to remain on course to win a third consecutive European Championship.
Spain thrashed Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final four years ago and also ousted the Azzurri on penalties at the quarter-final stage in 2008 on course to winning their first major trophy for 44 years.
Fresh from sealing his return to Real Madrid for 30mn euros ($33mn), Morata will come up against a host of former Juventus teammates, who are determined to shut out the 23-year-old.
“Italy are one of the strongest teams there are,” said Morata.
“They work a lot on tactics, but we have the players to score more goals, even if they are one of the national teams that defends the best.
“We have to show that we are Spain, the champions.”
Before winning back-to-back Euros and a maiden World Cup in 2010, Spain suffered an inferiority complex with Italy having never beaten them in five tries at major finals.
However, they have since also defeated the Italians at the 2013 Confederations Cup in a run of just one defeat in their last 11 meetings.
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been a constant menace to the Azzurri.
He scored the winning penalty in 2008, Spain’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw to open Euro 2012 and then set up David Silva’s opener in the final.
Fabregas will also be coming up against his future manager as Italian boss Antonio Conte will take over at Stamford Bridge next season.
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