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EURO2016: Belgium flex muscle to fire four past Hungary

Belgium have sent an ominous warning to their Euro2016 rivals by beating Hungary 4-0 to progress to the quarter-finals in France.

Marc Wilmots' Red Devils backed up their group stage wins over Republic of Ireland and Sweden by breaching Hungary's defence on four occasions in Toulouse to set up a final eight showdown with Wales.

The opening goal came on 10 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne sent an inviting free-kick into the box which was met powerfully by Toby Alderweireld who rifled an unmarked header beyond Gabor Kiraly.

Five minutes later, Kiraly did well to keep out De Bruyne before the Manchester City fired a set-piece onto the crossbar as the Belgians probed for a deserved second.

Gergo Lovrencsics tried his luck from range midway through the first half but the Hungarian winger's effort was inches above the target before Balazs Dzsudzsak also had a crack from distance only to see it fly outside of Thibaut Courtois' left-hand post.

On 42 minutes, Kiraly was again on hand to thwart Dries Mertens who was found in acres of space by Eden Hazard who early in the second half produced a mazy run down the left flank before testing Kiraly, who had been busy throughout.

Belgium had to wait until the 78th minute for their second goal which came in the form of Michy Batshuayi who simply tapped home after Hazard had attempted to play to one of two teammates on the left side of the area but retrieved it himself and supplied a low pinpoint cross for his striker.

Moments later, Belgium were in complete control when Hazard received a ball from De Bruyne on the left, beat off the challenges of Adam Lang and Richard Guzmics before firing into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box.

In injury-time, the contest was wrapped up when substitute Yannick Carrasco ran onto a deft little through ball from Radja Nainggolan and rammed a left-footed effort home, sending Belgium into the quarters where they will meet the Welsh in Lille on July. 1

Euro2016 - Round of 16

Hungry: 0
Belgium: 4 (Toby Alderweireld 10', Michy Batshuayi 78', Eden Hazard 79', Yannick Carrasco 90+1')
Stadium Municipal, Toulouse - 38,921

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Andrew Slevison
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