Belgium captain, Eden Hazard, has hit out at what he terms France’s anti-football tactics after his country’s 2018 FIFA World Cup 1-0 semi-final loss at the Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg on Tuesday.
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti scored the decisive goal in the 51st minute of the encounter.
Belgium dominated much of the opening half and showed more attacking intent.
But after falling behind, they found a resolute French side too difficult to break down, with Didier Deschamps’ men happy to defend their lead and play on the counter attack.
That left Chelsea star Hazard with a somewhat bitter taste in his mouth at full-time.
“I prefer to lose with this Belgium than win with that France,” Hazard told beIN Sports.
“I wouldn’t say the team in front of us was better than us.
“The team in front of us has defended well with 11 players 35 meters before their goal. And they’ve done this the whole tournament. Against Uruguay they scored with a free kick. Today a goal from a corner. Pity, but that’s football.”
Copyright © 2023 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
COMMENTS
Sorry, Hazard. But I wish my SuperEagles had the sense to defend against Argentina like the French did against you. Perhaps we would have edged them out. Much as I sympathize with your failure to qualify, I can’t see the logic behind your argument. Some of my friends may even classify you as a bad loser. Or do you want to rewrite the soccer rules? What is illegal about scoring from a free-kick or a corner kick? For your information, games can even be resolved with penalty kicks. Would that give you a heart attack? I have a special fondness for the French this year. Haven’t you heard the saying that your enemy’s enemy is your brother? I wish I could say this in French. Au revoir le Monsieur Hazard.
Hazard, just shut up and concentrate on winning your LOSER’S FINAL match before your team encounters something much worse than your name.