A rocket from Thorgan Hazard knocked reigning champions Portugal out of Euro 2020 on Sunday and earned Belgium a blockbuster quarter-final with Italy. Hazard’s swerving shot earlier than half-time sealed a 1-0 win for Belgium and settled a scrappy contest in Seville that by no means actually lived as much as its billing because the stand-out tie of the final 16. Cristiano Ronaldo examined Thibaut Courtois with a dipping free-kick within the first half however the 36-year-old neither broke the worldwide objectives report nor added to his 5 for the match. Raphael Guerreiro went closest to a late equaliser when his shot got here again off the publish however Belgium had been the braver, extra fluid workforce and deservedly edged by way of.
They are going to now face Italy in Munich on Friday and probably with out Kevin De Bruyne, who hobbled off injured within the second half however returned to the pitch to hitch the celebrations on the finish.
For all of the famous person names on the pitch, it was Eden Hazard’s much less heralded brother Thorgan who proved decisive, the Borussia Dortmund winger who Eden as soon as stated had much more expertise than him.
Portugal, in the meantime, caught to the defensive method that served them so properly in France 5 years in the past however has maybe been outgrown by a aspect that now boasts a number of the most artistic technicians on this planet.
– De Bruyne damage fear –
Eden Hazard began in Belgium’s entrance three once more after enjoying 90 minutes towards Finland on Monday. Portugal’s Diogo Dalot got here in at right-back for the injured Nelson Semedo.
Eden Hazard skied an early shot over after a neat alternate with Romelu Lukaku whereas Diogo Jota skewed large, slipped in down the left by the spectacular Renato Sanches.
Ronaldo reduce an remoted determine up entrance, his each contact booed early on by the Belgian followers, who then cheered when he was robbed of the ball earlier than being bumped to the bottom by Thomas Meunier.
The closest Ronaldo got here to an all-time report a hundred and tenth worldwide purpose was a dipping free-kick from 30 yards which Courtois parried away whereas on the different finish, Lukaku was a extra dynamic drive.
One scintillating break noticed Lukaku tear by way of Portugal’s midfield and together with his shirt being pulled behind him, he was simply missing the ultimate cross to Hazard.
An untidy sport discovered its second of readability within the forty second minute. It began with Courtois coolly evading Ronaldo’s press earlier than extra glorious work from Lukaku allowed De Bruyne to change left to Thorgan Hazard.
Hazard reduce in and ripped a swerving shot that rocketed in the direction of the centre of the purpose earlier than swerving proper and previous Rui Patricio, who was too gradual to regulate.
Belgium performed with extra verve after half-time and seemed set to take cost.
However De Bruyne’s damage checked their rhythm and Portugal got here once more, Jota firing over and Joao Felix, on as an alternative, heading into the arms of Courtois.
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Tempers flared as a crescendo of collisions incensed the gang and left Pepe fortunate solely to be booked after he led into his problem together with his arm.
Portugal lastly needed to push and in a wild final 10 minutes, Guerreiro went closest to an equaliser, his shot hammering towards the publish. Belgium did simply sufficient.
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