Belgium Vs Costa Rica 4-1 Full Highlights 11 June 2018
- 6 years ago
Roberto Martínez has played down injury fears over Eden Hazard after he limped out of Monday’s 4-1 friendly win over Costa Rica.
Hazard, Belgium’s captain, hobbled off in the 70th minutewith a dead leg but the Belgium manager said the injury was not serious. “Eden is okay, he had a little trouble, but it’s nothing to worry about,” Martinez said.
Roberto Martínez: ‘At the World Cup we need to show we are prepared to suffer’
“I really enjoyed his performance. He was sharp and strong, he was majestic. At the end he just came off because he had a little bit of a dead leg, a little bit of a knock on his leg.”
The injury to Hazard overshadowed what was a positive evening for Belgium before they head to Russia.
Romelu Lukaku gave England something to think about as he warmed up for the World Cup with two goals.
Lukaku is finding some form before the tournament in Russia which pits Belgium with England in Group G, adding a double in Brussels to the goal he scored against Egypt last week.
That took his tally to 13 goals in the last nine international games – he also provided an assist – and will be Belgium’s main threat in what should be the group decider against Gareth Southgate’s side on 28 June.
Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi also scored for Belgium after Bryan Ruiz had put Costa Rica ahead.
Belgium had created some early chances but the visitors took a 24th-minute lead.
Jan Vertonghen failed to get proper distance on a headed clearance and it fell to Ruiz, who sent a low first-time effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
The Red Devils’ response was swift, though, and after Mertens had gone close he finally levelled just after the half-hour.
This time Costa Rica failed to clear properly and Hazard’s ball across goal was tucked home from close range.
Belgium World Cup 2018 team guide: tactics, key players and expert predictions
The turnaround was complete before half-time as Lukaku scored a brilliant goal. Starting the move in his own half, the Manchester United forward fed Kevin De Bryune, who set Mertens free and he turned provider for Lukaku to volley home from close range.
Lukaku’s second came five minutes after the restart and it was classic Lukaku as he made sure he got on the end of Hazard’s cross to score with his head.
The United man then turned provider in the 64th minute, his low ball converted at the back post by Chelsea’s Batshuayi.
That proved to be enough for Martínez’s men as they signed off before their World Cup opener against Panama next Monday
Hazard, Belgium’s captain, hobbled off in the 70th minutewith a dead leg but the Belgium manager said the injury was not serious. “Eden is okay, he had a little trouble, but it’s nothing to worry about,” Martinez said.
Roberto Martínez: ‘At the World Cup we need to show we are prepared to suffer’
“I really enjoyed his performance. He was sharp and strong, he was majestic. At the end he just came off because he had a little bit of a dead leg, a little bit of a knock on his leg.”
The injury to Hazard overshadowed what was a positive evening for Belgium before they head to Russia.
Romelu Lukaku gave England something to think about as he warmed up for the World Cup with two goals.
Lukaku is finding some form before the tournament in Russia which pits Belgium with England in Group G, adding a double in Brussels to the goal he scored against Egypt last week.
That took his tally to 13 goals in the last nine international games – he also provided an assist – and will be Belgium’s main threat in what should be the group decider against Gareth Southgate’s side on 28 June.
Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi also scored for Belgium after Bryan Ruiz had put Costa Rica ahead.
Belgium had created some early chances but the visitors took a 24th-minute lead.
Jan Vertonghen failed to get proper distance on a headed clearance and it fell to Ruiz, who sent a low first-time effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
The Red Devils’ response was swift, though, and after Mertens had gone close he finally levelled just after the half-hour.
This time Costa Rica failed to clear properly and Hazard’s ball across goal was tucked home from close range.
Belgium World Cup 2018 team guide: tactics, key players and expert predictions
The turnaround was complete before half-time as Lukaku scored a brilliant goal. Starting the move in his own half, the Manchester United forward fed Kevin De Bryune, who set Mertens free and he turned provider for Lukaku to volley home from close range.
Lukaku’s second came five minutes after the restart and it was classic Lukaku as he made sure he got on the end of Hazard’s cross to score with his head.
The United man then turned provider in the 64th minute, his low ball converted at the back post by Chelsea’s Batshuayi.
That proved to be enough for Martínez’s men as they signed off before their World Cup opener against Panama next Monday