‘Hazard? France stopped Messi!’

Lucas Hernandez has warned Belgium’s Eden Hazard that ‘France have already eliminated Lionel Messi and he didn’t touch the ball’.

Hazard was acclaimed for his performance during Belgium’s 2-1 win against Brazil, which set up a semi-final with France, but Hernandez made it clear Les Bleus’ defence were ready for the Chelsea attacker and his Messi-esque style of play.

“Hazard? We’ve already eliminated the best player in the world [Messi] against Argentina in the last 16 and he didn’t touch the ball,” the Atletico Madrid stopper said at a Press conference.

“It’s true. He’ll have to touch as few balls as possible. Winning the World Cup? We’re not talking about No 3 in the dressing room, but we all know we can do it.

“We have great players and we’re ambitious. When we play at a World Cup, we want to win it, that’s normal.

“We know it’s possible, we’re closer than ever. There are only two games left, and now we must overcome Belgium.

“We’ll give everything to try to reach this Final. We’ll play like 11 dogs on the pitch, plus the three who can come on.”

Tags 2018 World Cup Argentina Belgium Eden Hazard France Lionel Messi
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