Eden Hazard had predicted a strong World Cup, not just for Belgium but also for himself, after the opener against Panama in which he had failed to get on the score sheet. Few doubted him because of the ability he possesses.
And they were right not to. Eden Hazard was in full flow against the Africans as he ripped through the heart of the defence with those mazy runs right down the centre. He was immense on the ball and picked passes with ease.
But such is his stature in world football at the moment that unless he scores, he’s deemed to have put in an average performance.
Unfortunately for Tunisia, they had to bear the brunt of that expectation as Eden Hazard bagged a couple of goals for himself. One came from the spot which he characteristically put away without any fuss.
The second one was a thing of absolute beauty as Kevin de Bruyne – who pulled the strings from midfield right through the game – played him in with a stunning ball over the top of the defence which Hazard chested down, dinked delicately over the keeper, and then placed it into the back of the net with two defenders harrying him.