Clinical Belgium put Finland on brink of exit
22 June, 2021
Belgium scored two late goals to see off a valiant Finland 2-0 on Monday, pushing their opponents to the brink of a group-stage exit from Euro 2020 and sending Denmark to the last 16.
Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky's 74th-minute own goal and Romelu Lukaku's third strike of the tournament ensured Roberto Martinez's Belgium finished top of Group B.
The world's number-one-ranked side will face a third-placed team in the next round on Sunday in Seville.
"We're making good progress and we'll be ready," Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne told RTBF.
Finland finish third in the group, but appear unlikely to be one of the four best third-placed teams.
"We received tremendous support from the Finns," said Finland coach Markku Kanerva.
"They inspired us. We're able to not achieve our goal of taking at least one point. We are obviously disappointed. I am pleased with my team."
The other game saw Denmark thrash Russia 4-1 in Copenhagen to snatch second place and book a ticket to the last 16.
Finland knew they would only need a indicate proceed through if the Danes won, but despite holding off Belgium for a lot more than 70 minutes, they couldn't keep writing in the Saint Petersburg heat.
"There have been no spaces, it had been a bit difficult," De Bruyne said.
- Strong Belgium -
This is arguably the strongest XI Belgium have fielded in the tournament up to now, with captain Eden Hazard, De Bruyne and Axel Witsel all starting after recent struggles with injury.
They did not take long to find their stride, with De Bruyne releasing Lukaku, who fired wide, before seeing a low cross hacked away by a panicking Finland defence.
The first half was largely played at a slow pace, but Belgium always looked dangerous if they moved the ball more quickly, with two such moves ending in Witsel and Hazard blasting over the crossbar.
The Red Devils showed what they can handle shortly before half-time with a wonderful counter-attack led by Hazard, but Hradecky denied teenager Jeremy Doku with a diving, one-handed save.
Hazard tried to win a penalty by falling near Finland defender Daniel O'Shaughnessy, but his appeals for a spot-kick were waved away.
Finland showed a little more adventure in the beginning of the second half, which left them more open at the back.
Hradecky pulled off an impressive save to deny Hazard, but was beaten by Lukaku in the 65th minute.
However, the goal was ruled out by VAR for the tightest of offside decisions.
But Finland did fall behind, in agonising circumstances, as Thomas Vermaelen's header from a corner struck the post and crossbar before being nudged over his own line by Hradecky.
The underdogs had no choice but to chase an equaliser if indeed they wanted to finish second in the group, nevertheless they were caught out again nine minutes from time.
De Bruyne's clever pass in to the area found Lukaku, who turned and slammed home a right-footed shot to score his 63rd international goal.
Finland now face a nervy wait to see if indeed they did enough, but would desire a remarkable run of leads to progress.
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