Belgium 1-0 Portugal: Thorgan Hazard's long-ranger just before half-time dumps Cristiano Ronaldo and Co OUT of Euro 2020 and sends Roberto Martinez's side into quarter-final against Italy... as golden generation hold-off late onslaught in Seville
- Thorgan Hazard, younger brother of captain Eden, scored the winner brilliantly from 25-yards on 42 minutes
- Portugal threw everything at the Belgians in the second-half, hitting the post late on as they came close
- But Belgium held on and march into the quarter-finals, where they'll face Italy in a mouthwatering clash
- It means defending champions Portugal, and star captain Cristiano Ronaldo, are out of this year's tournament
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
It is a misguided, and rather English, notion that Thorgan Hazard is nothing more than Eden’s little brother, born out of three seasons at Chelsea during which he didn’t play a single game.
The perception was that signing Thorgan was pretty much a favour done to keep his older sibling happy and that he was merely riding Eden’s coat-tails. Maybe that will change after this: a huge match in which Thorgan Hazard’s talent proved the difference between the two teams, certainly in the first-half.
Not only was he Belgium’s best player and biggest threat in an otherwise pragmatic 45 minutes, he was also the scorer of the goal that separated these teams, and takes Belgium into the final eight.
Belgium progressed to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 on Sunday, beating defending champions Portugal in Seville
Thorgan Hazard's powerful drive late in the first-half was enough for Belgium to hold on and earn a spot in the last eight
Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait to become the all-time highest international goalscorer as his country crashed out
Should we be surprised? Probably not. At Zulte Waregem, where Hazard went on loan a month after arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2012, he was voted the club’s Player of the Year and the coach attempted to make him club captain.
In 2013, he won the Golden Shoe, an award given to Belgium’s footballer of the year. The following season he was voted Belgium’s player of the season by his fellow professionals – Vincent Kompany and Enzo Scifo have been previous winners.
Next, Hazard went on loan to Borussia Moenchengladbach, who liked him so much they made the deal permanent after one season. Now, he plays for Borussia Dortmund. Only in England is Thorgan’s talent not unconditionally recognised.
So opinions may now be revised. This was not the best Belgium can play, far from it, but it was a gritty, defiant victory, achieved despite losing their most creative player, Kevin De Bruyne, after 48 minutes.
Portugal had the better chances and were unfortunate on the night, but it is hard to imagine this team battling through Belgium’s path to Wembley. Italy next and in the last four perhaps France or Spain. Portugal were considered contenders, too, reigning champions and with Cristiano Ronaldo hungry for his 110th international goal and Ali Daei’s record.
So it was a brave display by Roberto Martinez’s side, solid against a team that threw waves of attacking flair at an equaliser as the minutes ran down. And the winning goal? It was a beauty. Good enough to define any match – and to take down any champion.
Belgium had been rather disappointing to that point. Started brightly, quickly faded, spent much of the play trying to keep Portugal under control. In the tenth minute Eden Hazard played a one-two with Romelu Lukaku which ended in a shot over the bar, and Thomas Meunier cut inside on the right and struck a shot not far wide on 37 minutes but there was little else to report.
Certainly, not much to suggest we were watching a team that had stayed in the number one position in FIFA’s world rankings for over 1,000 days. And then Thorgan Hazard stepped up.
He had looked Belgium’s most dangerous player, up against Diogo Dalot on Portugal’s right. To here, there had been no end product for his marauding runs, so in the 42nd minute he took matters into his own hands.
Meunier played a crossfield ball and Hazard junior picked it up before unleashing a fabulous shot that rocked Portugal on their heels. It dipped a little, curled a lot, and bamboozled Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio. By the time he had responded to it the ball was as good as past him.
Portugal were dominant in the second-half, with Ruben Dias' header a huge chance but it was saved by Thibaut Courtois
Andre Silva also went close, and Courtois had to be alert throughout the second 45 minutes at La Cartuja Stadium
Should he have done better? Possibly. Does that take anything away from Hazard’s finish? Not in the least. It was a fine strike and, fittingly, big brother was first over to congratulate him.
Within minutes, it became apparent how important that goal would be. Joao Palhinha took out De Bruyne in the middle of the pitch, necessitating several minutes treatment.
It was decided he should carry on but De Bruyne lasted just three minutes of the second-half before being withdrawn. This is the second major match in recent weeks that has seen him battered into submission, after Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea body-checked him out of the Champions League final.
Referees need to protect players of his quality. Felix Brych showed Palhinha a yellow card and it was no more than that – but even so it was disappointing to see De Bruyne make his way to the tunnel prematurely again.
Lukaku deserved better, too, when he was tugged back while through on goal. Brych tried to play advantage but that had already been lost.
Kevin De Bruyne was forced-off injured early in the second-half and Belgium struggled without their chief playmaker after
Captain Eden Hazard was dangerous throughout before he limped off late on as Belgium looked to hold on to their lead
Bruno Fernandes showed his fighting spirit when he came on as a substitute and looked to make things happen in attack
Portugal had been the better team until Hazard’s intervention and were the better team once De Bruyne was out of the fray, too.
There wasn’t a whole lot of goalmouth action in the first-half, but Portugal saw a lot of possession and any team with Ronaldo on the loose remains a threat.
He hit a ferocious free-kick after 25 minutes – his 27th in the European Championships since 2004, six more than any country – but despite the spin and dip goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was equal to it. In the sixth minute Renato Sanches put through Diogo Jota but he was wasteful and screwed his shot wide.
Before the hour, Portugal coach Fernando Santos decided he had seen enough and introduced Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix, and his team’s threat immediately improved.
Cristiano Ronaldo had two good free-kick opportunities, the first a stinging effort on goal but the second was blocked
It got fiery in the second-half, with Pepe (left) clattering into Thorgan Hazard off the ball, sparking a melee on the pitch
Swiftly, Ronaldo and Jota exchanged passes only for the Liverpool man to shoot wide of the target again. Joao Felix had another attempt that was comfortably dealt with by Courtois and Fernandes had a go soon after, to little effect.
The final bombardment was relentless. In the 82nd minute, a Manchester one-two, United’s Fernandes with a corner met by the head of City’s Ruben Dias only to be kept out by Courtois.
It was straight at him but, to be fair, the power in the header meant had it been anywhere else it would almost certainly have gone in.
Just two minutes later, a low shot by Raphael Guerreiro struck a post and then, with two minutes to go, a hopeful cross by Guerreiro was made into a half-chance by Ronaldo’s header but Courtois saved at the feet of Andre Silva.
Cristiano Ronaldo was furious as he walked off the pitch, throwing his captain's armband down as he exited the tournament
Roberto Martinez is under a lot of pressure to deliver the golden generation to glory this year and was visibly delighted
Did the best team win? If not on the night, maybe longer term.
Having already lost heavily to Germany, who also lost to France, it is hard to imagine Portugal going all the way. Belgium showed a defensive resilience that may prove a match for the heavyweights looming.
As for Ronaldo, he must wait for Daei’s record and his final tilt at tournament glory will have to come in Qatar in 2022. He’s fit enough, and still dangerous, but this Portugal team isn’t the match of Belgium.
And, no, it wasn’t always pretty; but then tournament football isn’t.
Romelu Lukaku made a point of going over to Ronaldo after the whistle, as they embraced and shared a private word
It wasn't Belgium's greatest performance but they did just enough to bag a quarter-final spot thanks to the younger Hazard
Belgium scrape through the final minutes and bag a quarter-final spot, setting up a clash with Italy as the golden generation power on.
These players are out on their feet here. Belgium come forward with Carrasco, as Tielemans is unmarked on the run outside of him. It's two on two as Portugal throw everyone forward.
Pepe gets a touch on the pass and it's broken down again.
There's still time here. Portugal are flying forward, into five minutes of injury-time.
The occasional Belgium counter attack does look dangerous but they're quickly broken down.
Portugal are throwing everything at this now. Ronaldo rises highest to flick a cross into the box towards the back-post, as Andre Silva comes sliding in at the back post.
Silva tries to nick it past Courtois but the keeper JUST smothers it.
Yannick Carrasco is on for the final few minutes as Eden Hazard looks to have pulled his hamstring. The winger was challenging for the ball before pulling-up and instantly signalling to the bench.
Hopefully it's merely a strain, he doesn't look in too much pain.
Strap-in because we're going to get an action-packed finish to this game. Portugal aren't going home that easily.
Belgium clear to the edge of the area and Guerreiro is there to volley it goalwards. Courtois is rooted, but he's saved as the ball smacks the right-hand post.
Massive moment as we go into the final 10 minutes. Fernandes swings in a corner and Ruben Dias gets away from Vermaelen to win the header.
The Man City defender powers the ball straight at Courtois, who reacts well to parry it away. Either side of the Belgian keeper and we're level, big moment.
This is heating up now. We've had about 10 fouls in the last three minutes, with Lukaku barging Fernandes, Mertens catching Andre Silva and Ronaldo taking a dive.
Can see this getting nasty if a Portugal equaliser doesn't come soon.
Palhinha, whose only real contribution to this game has been clumsily tackling players, goes in on Lukaku and catches the striker's head with his boot.
The referee whistles for the head injury, and Pepe goes steaming in for absolutely no reason on Thorgan Hazard. He's lucky, as the referee only hands out a yellow.
It's too low, straight into the ball, hitting Sanches' back. As you were.
Portugal have a free-kick, centrally, about 30-yards from goal. Fernandes is standing by it too, but we all know who is taking it...
Belgium finally get a chance this half, with Hazard bursting down the left before snapping a pass in-field to Lukaku on the edge.
The Inter forward's control is a little loose as the ball sits up and he tries to power it towards goal, but it's off target.
A lot of Portugal attacking at the moment but it's only half-chances for now. Belgium need to regain some control.
Sanches, who has been superb tonight in the midfield, popping up all over the pitch, whips-in a great ball to the back post. Felix is underneath it but it's slightly too high for him, and Courtois can easily gather his header.
Ronaldo powers forward, throwing a couple of step-overs before playing a one-two with Fernandes and sliding a pass to Jota in the box. Great play from CR7.
Jota is surrounded by red shirts and does well to twist, but his shot flies over the bar.
It's time to change things for Portugal, as they go in search of the equaliser with fresh legs coming on.
Moutinho and Bernardo Silva make way, as Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix enter the field.
Portugal have to respond now and so far this half they're taking control, with good urgency on the ball.
Ronaldo goes for a long-ranger but Alderweireld is there to block it. That'll sting.
De Bruyne is limping off the field now, having tried to start the second-half but quickly realising he can't continue. That poor Palhinha tackle has aggravated something. Major loss for Belgium.
Mertens is coming on as replacement.
Back underway in Seville.
It's the Red Devils ahead at the break, thanks to a thunderous strike from Thorgan Hazard minutes before the whistle.
It was an evenly-matched half low on chances, with Ronaldo's power-drive free-kick the only time the holders had Belgium worried, while T.Hazard's finish was their first shot on target.
E.Hazard, Lukaku and De Bruyne have looked sharp but the Portuguese defence has been very solid. Portugal just haven't quite managed to get Ronaldo involved enough.
A couple of shaky moments for the Belgian defence did show there's scope for Portugal to trouble them, though.
De Bruyne gets back on his feet and looks to be moving ok after being treated for a long while there. He'll be looking for the half-time whistle now to go and get looked at.
Kevin de Bruyne is down injured right now after a robust challenge from Palhinha, and the Man Ciity star looks to be in some pain.
What a strike! Belgium that the lead minutes before the break.
Belgium come forward with Lukaku doing the hold-up job, but as they've found all game, they couldn't get in behind that Portuguese defence.
Instead its played back to Thorgan Hazard on the edge of the box, who strides into the space and rockets it towards goal from 20 yards.
It does swerve away from Patricio but the Wolves keeper should do better, as the ball flies into the net fairly centrally. Big goal for the golden generation.
The ball is stuck in midfield at the moment as these two teams are cancelling each other out completely. Deadlock.
Hazard, Lukaku and De Bruyne look to link up again but the Man City man's final pass is loose. Portugal look to counter but it's contained well, before Tielemans' foul on Ronaldo stops play once more.
Lots of professional fouls going on, etc. We need a goal.
Portugal win a free-kick 25-yards from goal, as Vermaelen handballs it.
It's very much in range for the Juventus forward. Ronaldo rockets the ball towards goal, rising over the wall and sharply dipping down at frightening pace.
He's aiming for the bottom corner and Courtois can only parry it into a dangerous area, but Jota can't capitaise. Thibaut's hands are still stinging.
Portugal get into a promising position on the edge of the Belgian box, and Belgium look to break with Meunier.
The wing-back looks to switch to Eden Hazard who was charging into space, but the ball is wayward and misses its target by a long way.
Not many risks beings taken right now from either side after an early flurry of chances.
Belgium enjoyed a long period of possession just now, but now Portugal are controlling the ball in midfield.
Feeling each other out for now.
The Belgians look really, really sharp here. Hazard and Lukaku are linking wonderfully.
Great work from the Real Madrid man to wriggle into space, playing a one-two with Lukaku but misjudging the shot, blazing it high into the stands.
Portgual counter-attack for the first time and Belgium and scrambling, that's a massive chance.
Eden Hazard loses the ball on the halfway line and Renato Sanchez breaks, playing Jota in on the back-three.
The Liverpool man is through on goal and looks certain to score, but he stalls before taking the shot and Belgium get back to put him off, seeing it go wide.
Jota has to do better there. You've got to score those in the big games.
We're off. The battle between these two heavyweights gets underway, who will seize the upper hand?
The players are in the tunnel, we're ready to go... my word what an occasion this is. Here's a final reminder of the line-ups:
BEL: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, T Hazard; De Bruyne, E Hazard; Lukaku
POR: Rui Patrício; Dalot, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Guerreiro; Renato Sanches, Alves Palhinha, João Moutinho; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota
Both of these teams are absolute powerhouses in attack. Their midfield options are full of creativity. At the back, there are concerns.
Belgium's back-three has a combined age of 102, while Portugal's features 38-year-old Pepe, albeit alongside Premier League player of the season Ruben Dias.
There's plenty of experience in there, but will Belgium's ageing trio be able to cope with the pace of Jota, Silva's instinct, and the age-defying Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, Portugal's back-four will have their work cut out containing a truly fearsome set of names - Lukaku, Hazard, De Bruyne.
Those are the key battles this evening, and will decide that quarter-final spot.
Belgium's talisman and captain, Eden Hazard, starts this one after returning to the line-up for the final group stage game against Finland.
The Chelsea legend hasn't looked himself since he left his spiritual home of Stamford Bridge, but his Real Madrid team-mate Thibaut Courtois is backing the injury-prone winger to perform at Euro 2020.
Bruno Fernandes has been left-out of Portugal's starting line-up again, with the Manchester United star falling short of his usual high standards in the last months.
Fernandes had a tough end to the season and looked lacklustre against Germany and Hungary in the group stages, before being benched against France.
The midfielder will no doubt play a part as a substitute, and will need a big performance to reclaim his starting spot.
POR: Rui Patrício; Dalot, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Guerreiro; Renato Sanches, Alves Palhinha, João Moutinho; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota
BEL: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, T Hazard; De Bruyne, E Hazard; Lukaku
Inside 10 minutes until we get the team line-ups. Two star-packed XI's incoming.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku have both come into this tournament as favourites for the golden boot, and will want to net tonight to power their teams into the quarters.
Right now, CR7 leads..
Ronaldo - 5 goals
Lukaku - 3 goals
Both Belgium and Portugal would likely be favourites against Italy in the quarter-finals, but one Azzuri star knows which team he'd rather avoid...
It's Italy awaiting in the quarter-finals for one of these two teams, after Roberto Mancini's men booked their spot with an extra-time victory over Austria.
The Italians lack the star-power of Belgium and Portugal and after a favourable draw for the group stages, haven't been tested against a tournament favourite yet.
However, underestimate the Azzuri at your peril, as the Italians are looking organised, together and focused this summer. They mean business.
Good evening and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the Euro 2020 last-16 clash between Belgium and Portugal.
Come kick-off in Seville this summer's tournament will be at crunch time, with the first major nation set to leave the tournament. It doesn't get much bigger than this!
Stay tuned right here for all the build-up and live updates from TOBY MILES.
Most watched Sport videos
- Leicester players celebrate their title win after Leeds lose
- Premier League drop MAJOR hint over date of Man City's trial
- Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri SHOVES young fan
- Footy star brutally compared to a Chucky doll after losing a tooth
- Arteta hails Arsenal's 3-2 derby win over Spurs in press conference
- Brandon Smith on the emotional weight behind white powder scandal
- Ryan Garcia shows off his fast hands in front of Donald Trump
- Mo Salah says there will be 'fire' if he speaks to the press
- Patrick Mahomes gives a sneak peek of Las Vegas charity gala
- Emma Hayes blames Chelsea's loss on 'shocking official decision'
- Postecoglou 'very disappointed' after defeat in North London Derby
- Pep Guardiola credits 'dry pitch' for Man City's 2-0 win over Notts
Host commentator