BELGIUM sealed their spot in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals with a closely-fought 1-0 win over Portugal tonight in Seville.
Thorgan Hazard notched Belgium’s only goal of the game in the first half when he rifled home from 25 yards to seal a last eight tie with Italy.
- RESULT: Belgium 1 Portugal 0
- Belgium XI: 1 Courtois; 2 Alderweireld, 5 Vertonghen, 3 Vermaelen; 15 Meunier, 8 Tielemans, 6 Witsel, 16 T.Hazard; 7 De Bruyne, 9 Lukaku, 10 E.Hazard
- Portugal XI: Rui Patricio, 20 Dalot, 3 Pepe, 4 Ruben Dias, 5 Guerreriro, 26 Palhinha, 8 Moutinho, 16 Sanches, 10 Silva, 7 Ronaldo, 21 Jota
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THAT’S A WRAP IN SEVILLE
So in what was supposed to be arguably the tie of the round ended up only coming to life late in the first half.
Defending champions Portugal started off strongly and had Belgium on the back foot but they were just unable to take their chances.
And when it looked as if Fernando Santos’ side were going to go in at half time the happier side of the two, Thorgan Hazard popped up with a screamer two minutes shy of the interval.
To be fair to Portugal, they did give it a good go in the second 45 which was proven when the statistics showed that they recorded a total of 23 shots.
The most in a single game this tournament.
It’s just a shame that they weren’t able to convert one of them into goals because now their Euro defence is over.
No record breaking goal for Ronaldo and no back-to-back trophy for Os Navegadores.
Thank you for tuning in people. I hope you have a good sleep and an even better start to the week tomorrow!
PANIC STATIONS
One of the only negatives for Belgium is the injury to Kevin De Bruyne who was forced off early in the second half following a reckless challenge by Joao Palhinha.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED.
EUROS RESULTS
Wow! What a round of results we have recently been treated to at the Euros.
The Welsh Dragons were slain yesterday by the Danes who put four past them with no reply.
Austria took the Italians to extra time but fell short at the very last hurdle losing 2-1 on the night.
The Netherlands were surprisingly beat 2-0 in Baku by the Czech Republic after going a man down.
And Belgium’s golden generation have knocked out Euro 2016 winners Portugal to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final tie against Italy.
MOTM
And it makes sense that Thorgan Hazard takes all the plaudits for his goal that rocketed the Belgians into the quarter-finals.
WARNING HAZARD AHEAD!
Just in case my explanation of how superb Thorgan Hazard’s winning goal wasn’t good enough.
Take a look for yourself.
RUDE ROY
Roy Keane wasn’t impressed with Joao Felix’ attitude when he came on the pitch to try and rescue the nation.
Listen to what the Manchester United legend had to say.
It wouldn’t be quite Keane if he never spoke what was on his mind.
FULL 90 STATS
It turned out to be a real backs to the wall mission for Belgium with the Portuguese dominating the possession, passing and shooting statistics.
However, Roberto Martinez’ men managed to hold on and escape Seville to land a quarter-finals spot.
BATTLING BELGIUM
The Red Devils conceded 23 shots against Portugal which is the most they have faced since allowing 27 shots against Brazil in the 2018 World Cup.
RONNING OUT OF TIME
With the Euro 2016 winners Portugal knocked out, it means that Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait to break Ali Daei’s record.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Belgium have done it! They’ll face Italy in a must watch quarter final tie in Munich on Friday…
FULL TIME
Belgium didn’t have their best game but they have managed to squeeze past the reigning champions Portugal and land a spot in the last eight.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S IT!
THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS ARE OUT!
AND THE BELGIUMS GOLDEN GENERATION LIVE TO FIGHT ON!
FT: BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
90+4. OH NO JOAO FELIX FLUFFED HIS LINES!
The Atletico Madrid attacker did so well to cut inside and make room to get his shot off.
But a little bobble in the pitch came to the aid of Belgium which made Felix completely scuff his shot.
That should be it.
BELGUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
90+2. The #1 ranked team in the world are holding on by the skin of their teeth.
Will there be one last twist in this tale?
ROM COM
Romelu Lukaku begging his defence to hold on to what they have so they can keep this love poem going.
FIVE ADDITIONAL MINUTES
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
87. OH MY GOODNESS WHAT A CHANCE FOR SILVA!
Raphael Guerreiro swung in a cross which fell to Andre Silva at the back-post but Thibaut Courtois stayed big and managed to clean up.
Tension is rising in Seville.
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
86. Eden Hazard seems to have pulled his hamstring and has signaled to the bench for a change.
Yannick Carrasco is stripped and ready to replace the Belgian skipper who isn’t taking any chances.
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
85. This game is becoming really stretched now.
Finally this is the game we were waiting for!
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
82. OFF THE POST!
Raphael Guerreiro came so close to grabbing the equaliser for Portugal but this time the woodwork came to the rescue for Belgium.
Fernando Santos’ side are really turning up the heat.
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
82. WHAT A SAVE COURTOIS!
Ruben Dias had a header from point blank range but the Belgian keeper managed to deny the Portuguese defender a first international goal at the Euros.
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
81. With less than ten minutes remaining for Portugal to save their trophy defence and they have a corner.
What’s going to happen here?
FIGHT NIGHT
The players up in arms over Pepe’s challenge on Thorgan Hazard.
HAVE YOUR SAY
It’s starting to get a bit scrappy now, which will suit Belgium. Portugal are running out of time, but with the quality they have on the pitch, anything could happen… couldn’t it?
BELGIUM 1-0 PORTUGAL
76. THE HANDBAGS ARE OUT!
Romelu Lukaku suffered a blow to his head and then the Portuguese vetran Pepe fouled Thorgan Hazard long after the whistle was gone.
He was lucky to only have got a yellow card there.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
