Eden Hazard has warned Belgium not to underestimate Japan in Monday’s World Cup last-16 clash in Rostov, for fear of repeating his team’s exit against Wales in Euro 2016.
Belgium’s golden generation were famously stopped in their tracks in France two years ago when they lost 3-1 against Wales in the quarter-finals.
Hazard insists his team will not make the same mistake twice as they bid to reach the last eight in Russia and set up a potential glamour tie against Brazil.
The Chelsea star said: “If Japan have reached the round of 16, it’s because they are pretty good. Yes, they were a bit lucky [to reach the last 16 only because they had fewer bookings than Senegal] but they are a good side.
“If we think this is going to be easy we may lose, so we need to be very focused from the beginning. We need to score early and win as soon as possible.”
If those words make 27-year-old Hazard sound rather wise, then it is probably because he learned the hard way at France 2016, when Belgium were 1-0 up against Wales before goals from Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu (right) and Sam Vokes sent Chris Coleman’s side into the semi-finals of the tournament.
“Two years ago, we had this match against Wales, so we know what to do and what not to do,” he said. “We are much better off than two years ago.
“Two years ago, we had injuries just before the match as well. Now is another tournament, against another team. Japan is totally different from Wales. We will take this match as seriously as possible.”