Eden Hazard was backed by two of Belgium’s most high profile players when he lashed out at France following their exit from the World Cup.

A second half header from Umtiti was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Deschamps’ side although the Red Devils were unimpressed with how France retreated once they got their goal.

Hazard, the Belgium captain said he would ‘prefer to lose with this Belgium than win with that France.’

While his goal keeper backed him saying ‘France have played anti-football. I have not yet experienced that a striker plays so far from goal. It’s their right to play like that… but it’s not nice to see. Not only the French tactics, but the referee… he didn’t call well at all.’

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne also had a pop at France, but given the tactics employed against is club side, the attacker has been used to this approach from teams.

‘Have I been annoyed by France? No, I play at City. I play against teams that play so defensively 90% of the time.

‘That is football. What they do, they do well. Both teams have had opportunities. That one goal makes the difference.’

Belgium will have one more game to play in the competition, the dreaded third/fourth place play off against the losers of England against Croatia on Saturday afternoon.