Eden Hazard stoked Belgium’s rivalry with England ahead of the World Cup by pointing out the failure of the Three Lions’ so-called ‘golden generation’.

Much was expected of England squads of the past, ones that included David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, but success never came.

England’s Group G rivals now have a ‘golden generation’ of their own with Hazard at the forefront alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Roberto Martinez’s side are favourites to win the group, which also includes Tunisia and Panama, and are a popular pick to lift the trophy, and Hazard recognises the opportunity in front of them.

“We know what we are,” he said in comments reported by several UK national newspapers. “We are good players, we all play in the big games in England, in Italy, and in Spain.

“Ten years or 15 years ago you had this ‘golden generation’ in England but you won nothing. We have a ‘golden generation’ – we just want to win something now.

“Can we be different to England? Maybe, we will see.”