A moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
\nThe Borussia Dortmund winger’s swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first-half and carried Roberto Martinez’s side into a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday.
\nPortugal – who again only introduced Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes from the bench – will look back on key Diogo Jota chances, a Ruben Dias header that was saved and a late Raphael Guerreiro drive that struck the post.
\nKevin De Bruyne’s fitness may dominate headlines in the build-up to the Italy showdown in Munich after he limped off moments after half-time, and Belgium also lost Eden Hazard to a complaint late on.
\nThe world’s highest-ranked side may have key holes to fill but again they have showed they possess the grit to complement their undoubted quality.
\nMartinez punched the air and shouted “yes” on the sound of the final whistle while Ronaldo crouched and beat the turf in frustration at Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja.
\nHis side had perhaps shown their best football of the tournament in the second 45 minutes, amassing 15 of a lofty 23 shots on the night.
\nJota fired a snap-shot over, Dias warmed the hands of Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois with a point-blank header, Guerreiro found the foot of the post and substitute Joao Felix dragged a late effort wide.
\nManager Fernando Santos may well be asked where such a second-half display has been hiding.
\nOn their route to the trophy in 2016 Portugal won just one tournament fixture inside 90 minutes and in reaching the last-16 stage this time around they had failed to inspire.
\nThat they seemed so reluctant to use their unquestionable quality to dominate games is puzzling and whether Ronaldo – now 36 – graces another major tournament will now likely become a focus.
\nHe will undoubtedly go on to move clear of former Iran striker Ali Daei given the pair currently share the record figure of 109 international goals.
\nHis frustration at the final whistle though was tangible as after the highs of securing a first major honour in 2016, Portugal have flattered to deceive this time around.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. The Borussia Dortmund winger’s swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first-half and carried Roberto Martinez’s side into a mouth-watering meeting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":200664,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-200659","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n