Chelsea star Eden Hazard laments Belgium's poor World Cup performances, blames tiredness

Eden Hazard

Belgium winger Eden Hazard has admitted that he was disappointed in his individual performances during the World Cup in Brazil this summer and claimed that tiredness played a part in his country’s exit.

The 23-year-old Chelsea midfielder was tipped to have an impressive tournament after emerging as a star performer for Jose Mourinho’s side during the domestic season, but failed to replicate his displays on the international stage.

Marc Wilmots’ side were heralded as dark horses in the build up to the competition but did no live up to their billing as a collective, despite finishing top of their group.

Meanwhile, although Hazard, signed from Lille for £32 million in 2012, managed to provide two assists during the competition, he could not prevent the Red Devils being eliminated at the quarter final stage, courtesy of a stunning Gonzalo Higuain strike for Argentina.

“I think I could have done better. In terms of quality, I could have been better.

“We all had a big game against the USA, which left us tired. We are still lacking something to reach the last four and that’s called experience.

“I think we’ll have that in a few years’ time. We have to keep playing like that,” he told reporters.

“The Argentines are used to playing games at the top level, when the tension is highest. They have the experience to make the difference with the smallest details.

“We were given a good lesson: it’s up to us to learn from it. I felt that we could have done so much better, but we should hold our heads high,” Hazard insisted.

Given that Belgium’s squad is relatively young, there is plenty of positive that can be taken from the summer’s showpiece event in South America and the experience they have earned will undoubtedly stand them in good stead for the future.

However, Hazard has discovered the fine margins that are the difference between success and failure on the international scene and will need to raise his standards further when playing in his national shirt.

If they continue to progress Belgium will surely arrive at Euro 2016 as one of the tournament favourites rather than rank outsiders.

Eden Hazard created 13 chances for Belgium at the World Cup.