Hazard urges Belgium consistency

Eden Hazard says Belgium must learn to start putting a run of games together if they are to succeed at Euro 2016.

The Red Devils, who are 11.00 to win this summer’s tournament outright, had to rely on a late Romelu Lukaku goal on Wednesday as they could only muster a 1-1 draw against Finland and looked sluggish at times following Saturday’s win over Switzerland.

Marc Wilmots’ side have been drawn in Group E alongside Italy, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland and will need to hit the ground running if they are to justify their status as the highest placed European nation in the world rankings.

Belgium are currently 2.00 to top the group ahead of the Azzurri (2.60) and the Swedes and Republic, who are priced at 7.00 and 11.00 respectively. Despite their undoubted quality, Hazard and his team-mates have often been criticised and appeared to struggle with the nature of tournament play at the 2014 World Cup.

The Chelsea star, who will captain his country in the absence of Vincent Kompany, admits they must find a way to maintain their rhythm in France after struggling to break down the Finns for long periods in their last game. “I think we played a good match,” he told RTBF.

“We still had a lot of chances and a lot of attacks. “We played against Switzerland a few days ago and you have to be able to string performances together. We must learn to move on between games for the Euros.”