June 28, (THEWILL) – There were not many shocked reactions to the outcome of Sunday’s second Round of 16 fixture that pitched highest ranked football team in the world, Belgium, against Euro defending champions, Portugal, after Roberto Martinez’s side sent Cristiano Ronaldo and his countrymen home with a 1-0 defeat.
After Portugal and their megastar forward Ronaldo began the continental competition with aplomb in a 3-nil opening game against Hungary, they very quickly realised, when Germany thrashed them 4-2, that defending their 2016 lifting of the European trophy was going to be a lot more difficult than they envisioned.
They could only go as far as the Round of 16 because their loss, thanks to a Thorgan Hazard’s curler in Seville confirms their exit and brings them crashing back down to earth from the firmament that their high-flying and record-setting opening game elevated them, especially Ronaldo.
As THEWILL reported, an 87th minute penalty in that first match against Hungary, allowed Ronaldo score to overtake Michel Platini as the all-time Euro competition top scorer but that was not enough for Ronaldo. In the final moments of that match, the forward rounded off keeper Péter Gulácsi to poke the ball into a welcoming net and increase his tally.
The hope that initial win created in the minds of the defending champions all sank to nothingness on Sunday in the knockout stages tie that began with Portugal creating the early chances. The impressive Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, missed his attempt by going wide while Ronaldo, whose free-kick was more on target, stung Thibaut Courtois’ gloves with his shot that the keeper blocked.
Ronaldo’s chase of another goal that will definitively make him the outright top scorer in the history of international football continued throughout the evening encounter. The sharp reflexes of Courtois was the difference that kept Portugal from taking a lead while the Belgians were having a hard time breaching the Portuguese backline.
As a result, Rui Patricio, the opposite number of Courtois was not having as busy a knockout match as the Real Madrid goalie for Belgium. That was until three minutes before the end of first half when Hazard’s vicious, swerving effort fizzed past Patricio into the net.
Portugal began to consolidate their pursuit for an equaliser in the second half and it was the most insidious time for Belgium to lose the services of one of their most influential players. Kevin De Bruyne’s attempt to play off the pains of a hard tackle did not work and he was substituted by Dries Mertens.
Belgium’s rhythm took a noticeable hit in the absence of De Bruyne. The industry of the Manchester City midfield wizard was lost but their saving grace, their defensive resolve remained, and it kept them in the lead until the end. The backline maintained tabs on Diogo Jota forcing him to shoot wide to the sustained frustrated of coach Fernando Santos.
Sensing the impending ouster so early in the defense of their trophy, the Seleção pressed on harder than ever before. Courtois was again at his best to keep out a Rúben Dias’ header but Raphaël Guerreiro could only hit the post with opportunities to score going untapped.
At long last, the final whistle that sealed Portugal’s exit sounded to give a lone goal victory to the Belgians, whose display of character, discipline and good fortune advanced them to the quarter-finals with their decent run in the competition.
THEWILL notes that the victory keeps Belgium’s 100% record in Europe for the four matches played so far fairly intact. It is that form, of victories against Russia (3-0), Denmark (2-1), Finland (2-0) and Sunday’s 1-0 over Portugal, that they will take to their quarter-final tie against Italy, that promises to be another cracker on Friday.
For Portugal, they will accept that they failed to repeat their 2016 heroics, but be proud of their participation and the historic significance of their record-setting Ronaldo, while they begin to earnestly prepare for the World Cup qualifiers in September, when they welcome the Republic of Ireland to kick off the series.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
