Chelsea star Eden Hazard scores and assists on injury comeback for Belgium

Hazard scores one of Belgium's nine goals against Gibraltar
AFP/Getty Images
Standard Sport1 September 2017

Any potential fears over Eden Hazard's comeback from injury for Belgium were allayed as the Chelsea star scored and assisted another goal in a 9-0 rout of Gibraltar.

On Thursday night, Roberto Martinez handed Hazard his first competitive outing since the winger broke an ankle on international duty at the start of the summer.

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte revealed last Sunday that Martinez assured him the 26-year-old would not be unnecessarily risked, though Hazard started and contributed to two of the Red Devils' nine goals in their 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Martinez named a strong side to take on the Gibraltans, with Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scoring a hat-trick and Thomas Meunier scoring three as well as assisting four more.

Hazard scored Belgium's sixth goal on the stroke of half-time, and provided a fine cross for Meunier to added the Red Devils' seventh of the evening.

Hazard did feature for Chelsea’s Under-23s against Everton last week, and Conte said of the international call-up: "I told Roberto that, if I can help him, I'm ready to do this.

"Also because, in my past, I was coach of the national team. I know very well that his task is not easy.

"I spoke with the player and the player is happy to go and stay with the national team. He's the captain.

"But the most important thing is to continue to work very hard to improve, then have the possibility to bring him to the bench after the international break and start to think he's a new player for Chelsea this season."

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