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Euro2016: Hazard desperately wanted to play in Lille says Belgium boss

Eden Hazard stepped up to guide Belgium through to the quarter-finals of Euro2016 with a fine performance in Sunday's 4-0 win over Hungary.

The opportunity to return to the home ground of his former club Lille was the dangling carrot in front of the Red Devils captain who scored one goal, provided an assist and was a constant menace for the Hungarian defence in the Round of 16 triumph in Toulouse.

Now Belgium will take on Wales at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille - not too far form the Western border of Belgium - and Wilmots is expecting some strong support for both his skipper and the entire team as they get set to deal with the attacking threat of Real Madrid's Gareth Bale.

"If we had a 150,000 [seat stadium] we could fill it," he said.

"t's very near the border and Eden Hazard especially wanted to play in Lille, that's why he played so well tonight!

"Wales are a strong side, not just with Gareth Bale but many others beside."

Belgium and Wales will clash in the Euro2016 quarter-finals in Lille on Friday.

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Andrew Slevison
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