Match Review: Belgium vs Portugal

EURO 2020: BELGIUM DEFEAT THE DEFENDING CHAMPS

Seville: Belgium and Portugal, two of the favorites at Euro 2020 were pitted against each other in the Round of 16. Belgium on one hand is the World No.1 team according to FIFA ranking whereas Portugal are the defending champions having won the previous edition of the tournament at France 2016. Ideally, this should have been a Quaterfinal or a Semifinal fixture. It's a shame that one of these two teams would head home after facing defeat. We witnessed a brilliant group stage performance  from both the teams, where Belgium faced the likes of Russia, Denmark and Finland and Portugal having faced France, Germany and Hungary in the 'Group of Death'.

The stage was set at Estadio de La Cartuja in the heart of Seville for a brilliant matchup between these two heavy-weights. Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard were ready to lead their teams, whereas Belgium manager Roberto Martinez planned on edging his Portuguese counterpart Fernando Santos. 

In the first half, it was even till Thorgan Hazard scored a stunning goal to put Belgium in the front against Portugal after the first 45 minutes of play. Portugal had better possession, better attempts on goal, but went into the break a goal behind in Seville. Belgium keeper Courtois made a superb save to deny Ronaldo from a free-kick and Jota missed a clear chance early in the game for Portugal.

Defending champions Portugal were knocked out of Euro 2020 on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to Belgium, who will next face Italy in a mouth-watering quarter-final tie. A 43rd-minute strike from Thorgan Hazard secured the win for Roberto Martinez's team, who survived plenty of pressure from the Portuguese in the second half.