[ad_1]
Thorgan Hazard’s strike sent Belgium past defensive players and the quarterfinals, where they will face Italy.
Defenders Portugal were eliminated in Euro 2020 on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Belgium, who will face Italy in the quarterfinals again.
A 43e-minute strike from Thorgan Hazard saved Roberto Martinez’s team, who survived heavy pressure from the Portuguese in the second half.
But by the time I finished missing, it was the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s road with the Portuguese team that won in Paris five years ago.
Portugal got off to a great start and Diogo Jota missed a good chance in the sixth minute, pulling the ball back after Renato Sanches broke through the middle of the field and found him promising to the left.
Ronaldo later tested Belgian defender Thibaut Courtois with a free kick as Fernando Santos’ side continued to push.
But Belgium grew in the game with Kevin De Bruyne leading the way and with three minutes left to take the lead.
The clever move ended with Thomas Meunier feeding Hazard, whose foul shot past Portugal’s misguided guard Rui Patricio.
Belgium suffered a setback when De Bruyne plotted three minutes after the break and Santos sought to save his team’s attack by bringing Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix off the bench.
Ronaldo, who cut to the right, did well to get Jota in the box but the striker’s efforts were not a goal as Belgium struggled to meet their opponents.
Attempts against Belgium intensified and Portugal burned the final 10 minutes in search of a legacy.
Courtois removed a corner of Ruben Dias’ head from the corner and then Raphael Guerreiro hit the post with the first shot on the edge of the box.
With extra time, Portugal made one last chance but Felix’s drive was just right for Courtois’ right hand.
Belgium will face Italy, who beat Austria 2-1 on Saturday, in Munich on July 2. The Italians did not win their last 31 games.
Axel Witsel from Belgium celebrates after the game [Alexander Hassenstein/Pool via Reuters]
[ad_2]
Source link
