Euro 2016: Courtois admits Belgium got easier opponent in Hungary

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has acknowledged that his side have been fortunate to end up with what looks like a more comfortable path through the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

Marc Wilmots’ side will take on Hungary in the round of 16 on Sunday after their 1-0 win over Sweden on Wednesday ensured they finished as runners-up to Italy in Group E.

Though the Chelsea keeper, 24, is not planning to underestimate Hungary, who finished ahead of Iceland, Portugal and Austria in Group  F.

“We have to admit that we have an ‘easy’ half of the draw because obviously all the teams that are there deserve it but there are no big teams like Spain, France or Italy,” he told RTBF.

“Of course we have to do everything but Hungary had three good matches and they are first in their group.

“We will be favourites in this match but we’ll have to be careful because they’re going to play defensively and we’ll have to be focused from the start.”

Belgium’s campaign had got off to a poor start with a 2-0 defeat against the Italians but results elsewhere, including Spain’s second place finish behind Croatia in Group D, means that their half of the draw in the knockout stages looks considerably less daunting.

Should Belgium progress to the quarter-finals by winning Sunday’s game in Toulouse, the side ranked No. 2 in the world would face the winner of the Wales-Northern Ireland match which takes place in Paris on Saturday.