Staff Reporter.
@EURO2020.
Belgium eliminated reigning champions Portugal with a 1-0 victory in the round of 16 at the European Championship on Sunday.
The win for Roberto Martinez’s men sets up a fascinating matchup with Italy in the last eight. But they may have to play the Italians without two of their biggest stars.
The Borussia Dortmund winger’s swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first-half and proved enough for Roberto Martinez’s side to set up a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday.
Portugal – 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.
Belgium were dealt a blow minutes after the restart when Kevid De Bruyne was subbed off for an apparent injury. The influential midfielder was replaced by Dries Mertens.
De Bruyne sat down pointing to his ankle and shook his head. He seemed fine after he first picked up the injury on a tackle from behind during the first half, but he couldn’t continue after only two minutes in the second half.
The injury issues worsened minutes from full-time when Eden Hazard was taken off with an apparent hamstring injury after pulling out of a challenge and asking for a sub on the near touchline.
The 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.