Eden Hazard Denies Rift in Belgium Squad Ahead of Crucial World Cup Game Against Croatia

Eden Hazard Denies Rift in Belgium Squad Ahead of Crucial World Cup Game Against Croatia

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • Eden Hazard has denied there was a confrontation in the Belgium dressing room after the European powerhouse suffered a shock loss to Morocco
  • Frank words were exchanged between some Belgium players including Kevin de Bruyne following their surprise 2-0 World Cup Group F loss
  • Belgium lies third on the standings in Group F with 3 points from their opening 2 games and just need to beat Croatia to advance to the knockout stages

Eden Hazard says Belgium is fully focused on their next World Cup group game against Croatia as the Real Madrid winger dispelled any rumoured rift in their camp.

Jan Vertonghen and Kevin de Bruyne were reportedly involved in a heated exchange of words after Belgium’s shock loss to Morocco in their second group game.

Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Belgium, Morocco, Croatia, Roberto Martinez, Qatar 2022, FIFA World Cup
Eden Hazard reportedly had a disagreement with Kevin Bruyne following Belgium's shock loss to Morocco. Photo by BSR Agency
Source: Getty Images

According to Reuters, Hazard has now denied there was a confrontation in the dressing room after the loss to the Atlas Lions while insisting the team’s target now is to get a win against Croatia.

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“Nothing happened in the dressing-room. Only the coach spoke. I spoke to Kevin De Bruyne, he does believe in the group.
“We had a good talk among the players. A lot has been said. We talked for an hour about good things and less good things. Now we want to win against Croatia.”

Belgium’s next group game is against Croatia and a win for Roberto Martinez’s team will automatically guarantee the Red Devils a spot in the World Cup round of 16.

Vertonghen bites back at De Bruyne and Hazard

Meanwhile, Jan Vertonghen has bitten back at Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard following accusations of Belgium’s team being too old and lacking pace in defence, Goal reports.

Vertonghen fired back after the shock loss to Morocco claiming that the team is also too old in attack in a swift response to Hazard and De Bruyne’s comments.

Belgium now needs a positive result in their final Group F fixture against Croatia in order to make the knockout stages.

Eden Hazard left annoyed with journalist

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Eden Hazard has often faced criticism over his weight and fitness struggles, and that criticism has now followed him to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Belgium star was left stunned when a journalist brought up his weight during a recent press conference.

Hazard was fielding questions after Belgium’s 2-0 defeat to Morocco, when an Egyptian journalist brought up his weight.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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