SM
Leverkusen vs. Roma: 15 hrs 53 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
BN
European Championship | Round of 16
Jun 27, 2021 at 8pm UK
San Mamés Barria
PN

Belgium
1 - 0
Portugal

Hazard (42')
Vermaelen (72'), Alderweireld (81')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Palhinha (45'), Dalot (51'), Pepe (77')

Belgium 1-0 Portugal: European champions eliminated from Euro 2020

:Headline: Belgium 1-0 Portugal: European champions eliminated from Euro 2020:
The much-hyped encounter largely failed to live up to its billing.
Sports Mole

Thorgan Hazard netted with a wonder strike as Belgium ended Portugal's reign as European champions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Seville.

The younger Hazard brother settled a slow-burning Euro 2020 last-16 clash with a swerving long-range effort late in the first half.

Belgium lost Kevin De Bruyne to injury and faced concerted pressure as the holders, led by the tireless Cristiano Ronaldo, rallied after the break but held on to win 1-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to help Portugal reach the last eight (Lluis Gene/AP)

The much-hyped encounter largely failed to live up to its billing but Portugal produced a grandstand finish in which Raphael Guerreiro hit the post was their best chance.

Belgium survived the late onslaught to book a quarter-final against Italy.

The first half was a cagey affair with few opportunities and little goal threat until Thorgan Hazard lit up the contest with his moment of quality.

Portugal's Diogo Jota had an early chance when he was played into the box by Renato Sanches but he screwed a left-foot shot across goal.

Belgium did not have a look at goal until the 20th minute when Thorgan Hazard tried his luck from distance but Diogo Dalot blocked.

Portugal talisman Ronaldo, looking to surpass Ali Daei as the most prolific goalscorer in international football history, lined up a free-kick in the 24th minute but Thibaut Courtois pushed away his swerving effort. Dalot also had a chance but was flagged offside before volleying wide.

The game appeared to be meandering towards the interval when Thorgan Hazard struck out of the blue to put Belgium ahead.

Romelu Lukaku held the ball up in the box before it was fed to the younger of the two Hazard brothers 20 yards out.

The Borussia Dortmund player connected with a fierce drive which swerved and deceived Rui Patricio.

That changed the complexion of the game and Belgium threatened again moments later and forced Ruben Dias to slice an awkward clearance towards his own goal. Patricio this time saved comfortably.

Ronaldo reacts in frustration as Portugal's reign comes to an end (Jose Manuel Vidal/AP/Press Association Images)

Yet just as they were getting on top, Belgium were forced into retreat early in the second half as key player De Bruyne was forced off injured.

The Manchester City playmaker was still feeling the effects of an earlier challenge from Paulinha and looked dejected as he admitted defeat and was replaced by Dries Mertens.

Ronaldo sensed a chance and had a shot blocked before combining with Dalot to create a chance for Jota but the Liverpool forward shot over.

Courtois then saved a header from substitute Joao Felix and Ronaldo hit the wall with another free-kick.

Belgium were seeing less of the ball but Lukaku tried to relieve some pressure with a shot that flew wide from distance.

The game became niggly as time ran down. There were clear signs of Portuguese frustration as Pepe was booked for catching Eden Hazard high with his arm. The referee had been trying to stop play at the time after Lukaku had gone down with a head injury.

Portugal roused themselves for one last push but Courtois saved from a Dias header and Guerreiro thumped a volley against the base of the post. Felix put their final chance wide.

body check tags ::

amp_article__453021 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-27 21:24:27:
html db last update - 2021-06-27 21:18:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Sunday's Euro 2020 predictions including Belgium vs. Portugal
Joselu brace sends Real Madrid to Champions League final
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Chelsea 'express interest in two England internationals'

1

C'

Match Analysis: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern (4-3 on agg) - highlights, man of the match, stats

2

MA

Picture Spoilers: Next week on Emmerdale (May 13-17)

3

PS

Preview: NY Red Bulls vs. New England - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PN

Arsenal plan to sell three academy players to fund Guimaraes pursuit?

5

AP

Live Commentary: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (4-3 agg.) - as it happened

6

LC

Galatasaray 'set to complete permanent signing of Chelsea attacker'

7

G'

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Bayern - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PR

Real Madrid 'favourites to sign £128m-rated star in 2025'

9

RM

Man United 'want La Liga goalkeeper to replace Onana'

10

MU


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .