Euro: what to remember from Belgium's forceps victory against Portugal

It was a boxing fight-like match, tense and you had to be solid to take the blows.

And in the end, it was Belgium that came out alive, eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal after a hard-fought round of 16 (1-0) on Sunday night in Seville.

The Red Devils, extremely realistic failing to shine in the game, relied on a floating strike from Thorgan Hazard at the end of the first period (42nd) to compost their ticket for the quarter-finals, where they will meet Italy . 

The Portuguese, reigning European champions, nevertheless gave everything to equalize at the end of the match, chaining the assaults in the Belgian area.

But the post repelled a shot from Raphaël Guerreiro (83rd) and the defense of the Red Devils to resist to hold a victory oh so difficult. 

The gesture of the match: the inspiration of Thorgan Hazard

It only took one opportunity, or almost, for the Belgians to qualify.

While the Red Devils came up against a well-established Portuguese defense, Thorgan Hazard unlocked the encounter with a powerful and floating strike from 20 meters, slightly off-center to the left, which failed Rui Patricio at the end of the first period ( 42nd).

Eden's little brother then fell into the arms of his elder, celebrating his eighth selection goal.

The space of an evening, it is the winger of Borussia Dortmund who took the light at the expense of the star of Real Madrid. 

[⚽️ GOAL VIDEO] #BELPOR

⚡⚡ Lightning strikes from Thorgan Hazard's foot!

An overpowered missile from the outside of the foot to deceive Rui Patricio! Https: //t.co/TnjRssv44z

- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 27, 2021

Portuguese regrets: numerous assaults and the Guerreiro post 

If the Belgians were devilishly realistic, the Portuguese may regret their many missed opportunities.

It was already them who had obtained the first opportunity of the match, on a free kick heavily hit by Cristiano Ronaldo but well pushed back by Thibaut Courtois (25th).

Despite the opening of the Belgian score, the European champions pressed on the accelerator and invested the opposing camp upon returning from the locker room.

A pivot strike from Diogo Jota, after a CR7 festival, went over, then Ruben Dias' powerful header was cleared with authority by Courtois (58th and 82nd). 

They especially had two huge chances at the end of the match, with a volley from Raphaël Guerreiro pushed back by the post after a bad clearance from the Belgian defense (83rd).

Then Courtois, decisive, interposed twice against André Silva (89th).

So it's already over for Cristiano Ronaldo who could not, this time, avoid the elimination of his team. 

#ClubEuro

⚽ Ohhhh the post for Guerreiro! # BELPORpic.twitter.com / 4DrOcEuUe3

- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 27, 2021

Education: these Belgians also know how to win without playing well

If the Portuguese can harbor regrets, the Belgians are doing well. The Red Devils, who have been trumpeting for several years their love of the beautiful game and never stop criticizing that of the France team, this time won thanks to a formidable realism and a defense capable of holding the score ... in the manner of the Blues . Because apart from the goal of Thorgan Hazard, the Belgians had no big opportunity and stars like Romelu Lukaku did not shine. Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard were forced to leave on injury in the second half, respectively affected in the ankle and thigh. 

Now capable of suffering and bending without breaking, the Belgians are in any case asserting themselves as very serious candidates for the title. But before thinking about the final victory, they will have a new test to pass, Friday in Munich, against Italy in the quarter-finals.