Belgium Send Ronaldo's Portugal Crashing Out!
28 June, 2021
Defending European champions Portugal have already been eliminated at the Last 16 stage carrying out a 1-0 loss to Belgium on Sunday night.
Renato Sanches kept his spot in the Portugal line-up as Bruno Fernandes had to make do with an area on the bench once more, while Eden Hazard was handed a start for the Red Devils alongside his brother Thorgan.
Diogo Jota must have given Portugal the lead after six minutes after being played in by Sanches but with only Thibaut Courtois to beat, he dragged his effort wide of the mark.
While Belgium struggled to carve out chances, Ronaldo went close at the midway point of the first half with a robust free-kick that was parried away by Courtois while Joao Palhinha failed to convert from the rebound.
However, Belgium got the opening goal five minutes prior to the break when Thorgan Hazard was presented with time and space to send a powerful strike into the far corner from 20-yards out.
The Belgians were forced to re-shuffle the pack soon after the break as Kevin de Bruyne was forced off with a personal injury and replaced by Dries Mertens.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos chosen two changes soon after as Fernandes and Joao Felix replaced Bernardo Silva and Joao Moutinho with the expectation of bagging an equaliser.
The defending champions almost got their reward on 83 minutes whenever a clearance fell to Raphael Guerreiro, who saw his first-time volley crash against the upright.
In the end, Roberto Martinez's men were able to hold out for the win and secured a spot in the quarter-finals.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za