Belgium eliminates the Portuguese European champion and goes to the quarters

Thorgan Hazard scored the only goal in the game that sent the Belgians to the quarterfinals of the Euro. AFP PHOTO – AFP

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The kings of European football bit the dust in the eighth: a sharp strike from Thorgan Hazard (42nd) was enough for the Belgians to get rid of the reigning European champions … and the image of candid romantics that stuck to the skin of the Red Devils since their disappointing third place at the 2018 World Cup.

It’s already over for the Portuguese, a calculating team but caught in its own trap. And it’s already over for Ronaldo, who dreamed of a second consecutive European coronation and a possible sixth Ballon d’Or, but who leaves empty-handed despite 5 goals in four matches.

Belgium loses its two stars to injury

The Euro continues on the other hand for Belgium, who certainly saw his playing masters Kevin De Bruyne (48th) and Eden Hazard (87th) come out on injury, but gained scarecrow status before facing Italy next Friday in Munich. The Czech Republic will challenge Denmark, another surprise team in the tournament, next Saturday in Baku.

Have the Belgians finally learned to “win ugly”? After having railed at the 2018 World Cup against France, victorious over Belgium in the semi-final with a narrow score and minimalist play (1-0) before being crowned in the final, Roberto Martinez’s team has apparently matured.

Thorgan Hazard unlocks everything

She foiled Portugal, leaving the ball to this opponent more comfortable without and suffering without bending in the face of Ronaldo’s few attempts. The Portuguese star’s distant duel with Romelu Lukaku came to an end, like his powerful free kick deflected by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (25th).

Then, a missile from Thorgan Hazard (42nd) against the course of the game placed Belgium in an ideal position. Then his great resistance in the second half, with a rescue from Courtois in front of Ruben Dias (82nd) ​​then an attempt by Raphaël Guerreiro on the post (83rd), offered him deliverance and qualification.

Enough to allow the Red Devils to finally dream of a coronation that would reward their golden generation, quarter-finalist at Euro 2016 and then semi-finalist at the 2018 World Cup. But the road remains steep until the final in London on July 11, as the Netherlands could see, reduced to ten and eliminated when they were favorites in their round of 16 against the Czech Republic.

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