Euro 2020 Report: Belgium 1 - 0 Portugal

A goal just before half-time sent Belgium through to the last eight of Euro 2020 after they survived the loss of key players through injury and a late rally from the reigning champions.

Despite having the better chances and greater possession, the Portuguese were powerless to prevent their fate as the Euro 2016 champions were dumped out in Seville.

Both sides had early chances in a cagey opening. Renato Sanches had the first as he advanced through the midfield to play an incisive ball into Diego Jota. However, he shot wide across goal when the opportunity presented itself.

Moments later Thomas Meunier was found by Youri Tielemans down the right, but the full-back overhit his cross to the frustration of in-form Romelu Lukaku.  

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first opportunity came from a free-kick after Thomas Vermaelen handled outside the area.

His effort went past the wall and reached Thibaut Courtois before it was punched away by the Real Madrid shot-stopper who scrambled clear before anyone could follow up on the danger.

Portugal grew more into the game as the half progressed with the likes of Sanches and Jaoa Moutinho becoming more influential on a number of occasions as Liverpool forward Diogo Jota stretched the Belgian backline.

However, it proved to be a cautious affair as both side’s cancelled each other out.

But just before the break, the Belgians took the lead through a swerving effort on goal from Thorgan Hazard.

Portugal had been on the attack before Belgium countered – and full-back Meunier teed up Hazard with a neat pass before the wing-back let fly with a powerful drive that flew past Rui Patricio into the top corner.

Belgium were dealt a blow at the start of the second-half as Kevin De Bruyne was forced off after being on the receiving end of a late challenge moments before the break.  

Both sides were struggling to carve out anything of note in a drab start to the second-half, with the closest Portugal coming to an equaliser being through a burst into the box from Ronaldo.

The Juventus star played a one-two before sliding it inside to Jota who swiped at the ball s he skied his effort over the bar.

Joao Felix then had a chance from a deep cross into the back post, but his header went straight at Courtois.

As time ran out for the Portuguese, and their frustrations grew – they began to push even more for a late leveller.

Bruno Fernandes swung in a corner that Andre Silva rose highest to, but Courtois was able to palm it away in time. The resulting corner was played short into the path of Raphael Guerreiro who then shot against the post.

Romelu Lukaku barged past a few challenges to set up Yannick Carrasco on the break, but the substitute took too long with the chance and was crowded out by some frantic defending.

Belgium were able to hold out despite conceding some chances, although they will be forced to sweat on the fitness of Eden Hazard who pulled up late on with an apparent thigh injury.

A quarter-final date with Italy now awaits them in Munich on Friday.

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld; Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Thomas Meunier, Thorgan Hazard (Leander Dendoncker 90); Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard (c) (Yannick Ferreira Carrasco 86), Kevin de Bruyne (Dries Mertens 48).

Subs not used: Leandro Trossard, Matz Sels, Dennis Praet, Simon Mignolet, Jeremy Doku, Jason Denayer, Dedryck Boyata, Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi.

Booked: Thomas Vermaelen (71), Toby Alderweireld (80).

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Raphael Guerreiro, Rúben Dias, Kepler de Lima Ferreira (Pepe), Diogo Dalot; Renato Sanches (Sergio Oliveira 78), Joao Palhinha (Danilo Pereira 78), Joao Moutinho (Joao Felix 56); Bernardo Silva (Bruno Fernandes 56), Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota (André Silva 69).

Subs not used: Rui Silva, Nelson Semedo, Rúben Neves, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Goncalves , José Fonte, William Carvalho.

Booked: Joao Palhinha (42) ,Diogo Dalot (50) Kepler de Lima Ferreira (Pepe) (75).

Referee: Dr. Felix Brych.

Attendance: 11,054.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Thomas Meunier (Belgium).