BELGIUM and Portugal’s duel is one of the most highly-anticipated clashes of the Euros knockouts stages.
Tonight’s match will see Roberto Martinez’s side take on the 2016 European champions with both teams boasting two of the world’s most talented forwards.
Romelu Lukaku, 28, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, have been in fine form in the tournament and on fire for their Serie A sides.
Inter Milan’s Lukaku, who has netted three goals in three games so far in the Euros, has been at the heart of some Belgium’s best attacking displays.
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Meanwhile Juventus star Ronaldo, 36, became the contest’s all-time top scorer with 11 goals breaking Michel Platini’s record of nine.
The match between Belgium and Portugal will kick-off at 8pm at Sevilla’s Estadio La Cartuja ground in Spain.
And the game can be watched on ITV1 with a preview broadcast at 7:15pm.
What’s the form?
This last-16 encounter between the nations will be their nineteenth clash on the international stage
And Portugal have won on six occasions with Belgium beating them in five.
Martinez’s men finished top of Group B after beating Finland, Denmark and Russia.
And the team currently ranked the world’s best by Fifa have conceded one goal so far in the contest.
Belgium will be pushing for a better outcome in this year’s European Championship than their showing in the 2016.contest
Back then the team fell to a shock 3-1 defeat to Wales at the Allianz Arena after taking a 13th-minute lead.
Belgium have been on a 27-game unbeaten run with their last defeat coming against France in the World Cup semis in July 2018.
And their last clash with Fernando Santos’ Portugal was an international friendly in June 2018 which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Belgium is certainly a difficult opponent, number one in the world. We already know them but we will analyse them to see what has changed. I am sure we will be at our best in Seville. We’re a tough team to beat.
Fernando Santos – Portugal Football Manager
Meanwhile, Portugal, who finished third in their group, are looking to beat Belgium for the first time since March 2016.
Santos’ aces, who are ranked the fifth best in the world, are dreaming of winning a second successive Euros crown following their 2016 triumph.
And the team will be boosted by the electric form of skipper Ronaldo and the performances of Renato Sanches and Prem stars Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva who have all impressed.
Who’s in and who’s out
Renato Sanches, 23, could be set to keep his place in Portugal’s starting line-up following his standout performance during their 2-2 draw with France.
The Lille star, who started in place of Bruno Fernandes, gave Didier Deschamps aces a run for the money in midfield.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard, 30, and Kevin De Bruyne, 29, could be set to keep their places in Belgium’s attack with Thomas Vermaelen and Dedryck Boyata likely to retain their spots in defence.
Watch out for…….
Cristiano Ronaldo breaking men’s football’s all-time international goals record.
The Portugal and Juventus superstar shows little sign of slowing down at the age of 36.
The veteran winger is currently level with Iran football icon Ali Daei who has netted 109 times for his country.
Should Ronaldo score this evening he will become the highest-scoring international player in the men’s game.
If the game is rubbish….
Ines Degener Tomaz will most likely be cheering on her partner Bernardo Silva and his Portugal team-mates.
The 23-year-old, who was born in Lisbon, enjoys a successful career as a model.
And Tomaz’s sister Mariana represented Portugal at the 2017 Miss Global pageant.
Fancy a punt?
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Match odds?
*All odds correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
