Eden Hazard admitted Saturday that Belgium’s greatest probability to win the World Cup had come and gone however stated they nonetheless have the standard and expertise to elevate the trophy in Qatar. Belgium, who completed third on the match in Russia in 2018, are nonetheless ranked second on the earth however lots of the much-vaunted “Golden Generation” are actually of their 30s. “To be fair I think we had a better chance to win four years go,” admitted 31-year-old Hazard, talking on the eve of Sunday’s match in opposition to Morocco.

“The team was better four years ago but still we have the quality to win games and to win the competition. We have a few guys, they are a bit older now but we have experience and the best goalkeeper in the world (Thibaut Courtois).

“We have probably the greatest midfields on the earth, proper now. We have good strikers. We have the crew and I believe it is simply the will to need to win, and the mentality.”

He added: “Belgium can win the World Cup if we’re in type. If we aren’t it will likely be powerful.”

The Real Madrid forward said he was not over-worried by Belgium’s struggles in their opening Group F match against Canada, which they won 1-0, but he urged the team to play without fear.

No fear

“The first match you all the time have a little bit of worry, you do not all the time need the ball,” he said. “Now we have to recover from that. We have to not be afraid to dribble, to play the killer cross. That’s what was lacking within the first match.”

Hazard has struggled to repeat the form he showed at Chelsea since he moved to Spain in 2019 but he said he was able to brush off criticism over his performances.

“There has all the time been criticism,” he said. “Even whenever you play effectively you get criticised. I simply attempt to concentrate on taking part in the perfect I can for my nation and I’ll give every thing I can.”

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was relaxed about his side’s form, highlighting the lack of preparation time before the tournament in Qatar. “Slowly you are going to see groups preparing after three video games within the match,” he said.

“So quite than having that preparation for a World Cup, for a significant match the place you’ve gotten three friendlies and you’ve got 4 weeks to get all people within the optimum situation, the groups have to prepare whereas they’re within the match and that is harmful as a result of it will possibly price you factors.”

Martinez gave an update on the fitness of leading striker Romelu Lukaku, who is recovering from a thigh injury. The Spaniard said the forward was not expected to be available until the third group game against Croatia, in line with previous expectations.

“He’s forward of what he ought to be,” said Martinez. “I do not count on him to be concerned tomorrow until one thing goes extraordinarily effectively immediately.”

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