A thundering rocket from Thorgan Hazard knocked reigning champions Portugal out of?Euro 2020 on Sunday and set up a clash with Italy for Belgium.
A long curving shot just before half-time from captain Eden Hazard’s brother put Belgium ahead and it stayed that way till the final whistle amid a feisty but overall sedate battle peppered with moments of brilliance and a scuffle thrown in for good measure.
Cristiano Ronaldo at the free kick mark is an enduring visual from a storied career and in the first half, the 36-year-old huffed and puffed but did not find the net after he released the ball. He neither broke the international goals record nor added to his five for the tournament, only managing to break a sweat for the remainder of the game.
Raphael Guerreiro came close to a close-to-the-whistle equalizer when his shot ricocheted off the post, but barring a few inspired counters, Belgium were more in control of play throughout. Lukaku had quite a few eventful breaks as he tore through Portugal’s midfield in flashes of attacking brilliance.
When Hazard cut in and ripped a swerving blinder at centre of goal before soaring right and past Rui Patricio in the 42nd, the game looked to be Belgium’s to lose for sure.
Scuffles and collisions left Portugal mainstay Pepe with a yellow after he led into his challenge with his arm, but sadly was the only challenge Ronaldo’s men could serve the Belgians.
Belgium now face Italy in Munich on Friday, possibly without key man Kevin De Bruyne, who was injured in the second half.
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