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Eden Hazard and Belgium needed only 45 minutes to convince manager Roberto Martinez that they are ready for the World Cup on Tuesday night. A first-half goal and assist from the Chelsea superstar meant that Martinez could make wholesale changes at half-time, and take off not only Hazard, but Mertens, Lukaku and Witsel as well.
Eden Hazard doing what he did in the qualifiers for (it’s only a friendly, though):
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) June 6, 2018
⚽️ 1 goal
️ 1 assist
in 45 minutes vs Egypt (without their MaestrO)
Romelu Lukaku scored the second- his 34th in 68 caps. Mister 50%. Marouane Fellaini the third.#cfc #mufc pic.twitter.com/ao3kGD4rDi
Kevin De Bruyne and Yannick Carrasco finished out the full match against Egypt, as Belgium added a third goal late against the team more concerned about Mohamed Salah’s fitness than the match itself. Salah remains questionable for the World Cup following the judo tackle from Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final. Thibaut Courtois also played the full 90 as did a couple defenders.
It took Hazard just a few minutes to set the tone and get one of Egypt’s players booked for a poor tackle. His goal, Belgium’s second, came after some strong work from Carrasco, while earlier it was Hazard’s parried shot that former Blue Romelu Lukaku follows up for Belgium’s opener. There was Chelsea involvement in the third goal as well, as Michy Batshuayi returned to the pitch and set up Marouane Fellaini. Welcome back, the Batsman!
Belgium have one more friendly, Monday against Costa Rica, before heading off to the World Cup.