Eden Hazard: “We Can Do Better” Despite Belgium’s Winning Start
Belgium’s Eden Hazard has acknowledged his team must improve, despite their opening 2-1 win over Algeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Red Devils next face Russia on Sunday, aiming to build on their promising start to the tournament in Brazil.
Hazard, who set up the decisive goal for substitute Dries Mertens, was instrumental in Belgium’s late comeback. However, the Chelsea winger believes he and his teammates are capable of much more.
“I can obviously do better, like the rest of the team,” Hazard told FIFA. “This is just the beginning. We did the most important thing by winning this first match, which we knew was crucial. We can’t ask for much more. In a competition like this, a victory at the start is already a big step towards qualification.”
Belgium top Group H with three points and now look ahead to a tricky encounter against Russia, who drew 1-1 with South Korea in their opener. With growing expectations around Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, Hazard is urging caution.
“We’re a young, talented team, that’s true,” he said. “But this is our first experience at the World Cup, and who knows what might happen? No one, not even us, can answer that question. But our victory against Algeria has given us confidence.”
Belgium, considered dark horses in Brazil due to their wealth of Premier League and European talent, started slowly against Algeria. A first-half penalty put them behind before second-half goals from Marouane Fellaini and Mertens turned the game around.
Hazard, who made a name for himself at Lille before joining Chelsea, played a decisive role in the turnaround and is expected to be a key figure again versus Russia. Despite the praise, the 23-year-old remains focused on the team’s progression rather than individual glory.
“We’re not thinking too far ahead. We’ll take each match as it comes,” Hazard added. “We’ve done well to get the three points, now we have to show even more.”
Belgium’s next match against Russia takes place at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where a win would put them on the brink of qualification for the last 16 — a stage they haven’t reached since 2002.
