PARIS (AP) " France, Germany and Belgium sealed their places in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Sunday as three of the pre-tournament favorites lived up to their promise. After Toby Alderweireld headed Belgium into a 10th minute lead, Hazard turned victory into a rout in the closing stages. "When Ireland took the lead it made us a bit more uncomfortable in the first half," France coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged. Asked if it was his best performance for Belgium, Hazard simply said "Yes", before breaking into a smile. France's reward is a quarterfinal next Sunday at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis against either England or Iceland, which play in Monday's late kickoff.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 26, 2016 22:41 UTC