It is not often that this Belgian team, with all its attacking talents, is confined to just one shot on target. Portugal managed it, but unfortunately for the defending European champions, Thorgan Hazard's effort went into the net and their tournament was over.
Belgium's golden generation advanced to face Italy in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals after their 1-0 win on Sunday, but only. Progress also came at a cost after both Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were forced out with injuries during a frantic second half, which could not detract from a massively cautious opening in the first 45 minutes.
It is usually the holy trinity of De Bruyne, Hazard and Romelu Lukaku that win Belgium's games, but this time it was down to three behind JAN VERTONGHEN, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermellain, with a combined age of 101 years. A heavy pitch at the Estadio OlÃmpico de la Cartuja in Seville, Spain kept Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. away and in the end, a shot on target was all that was needed for the No. 1 ranked team in the world.
"In the first half, we were playing high and putting pressure on Portugal, but looking at that second half, we are lucky to have won," Vermalen later admitted. "Portugal made it really difficult for us. We really had to focus. It has given us a lot of energy, but we have some time to recover and now we are looking forward to the game against Italy. "
Before the game, Belgian manager Roberto Martinez told his players to "be patient" against Portugal, who were happy to wait for their chance to counterattack, but they took it to hard point for 42 minutes. went. While Renato Sanchez drove through midfield to set up an early chance for Diogo Jota and Ronaldo hit the target with a forceful free kick, the Belgian's best moment was Thibaut Courtois who scored his own penalty around Juventus. Was using some neat footwork to get ahead in the field.
With half-time approaching, Belgium had barely troubled Portugal at half before Hazard picked up the ball in the left side of the penalty area. Two touches later and he had put the Belgian ahead with a shot that swung so violently that Rui Patricio started moving in the wrong direction. It was one of only six shots produced by Belgium, compared to Portugal's 23.
"In games like these, you have to take your chances with both hands," Hazard said. "The goalkeeper expected me to pick the other corner, so the ball went in."
As good as the strike was, Patricio will be disappointed when he sees it again.
Portugal boss Fernando Santos was bowled over with his replacement, bringing in Bruno Fernandes and Joo Felix in the second half in barely 10 minutes, and Belgium hung on by the end. Rubén Dias had a bullet header beaten off by Courtois, and Raphael Guerreiro steadied the post with a Real Madrid keeper falling short hoping for the best.
"I didn't have much work to do in the last three games, but I knew it wouldn't happen against Portugal," Courtois said. "I'm proud of my teammates - they defended very well."
Felix got the last chance, whose shot was wide in stoppage time. Portugal is a better team than the team they won in France five years ago, but you need more than just talent to win major tournaments.
As the final whistle blew, Ronaldo threw down his captain's armband in desperation. He is set to continue his international career through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he will be 39 by the time the next Euro is played in Germany, and this may be the last time we will see him on this particular stage . He played his part at Euro 2020, scoring five goals and equaling Ali Dei's record for most goalscorers in men's international history, but Belgium never gave him a golden opportunity.
Meanwhile, Belgium have found a different way to win and may need it again depending on De Bruyne and Hazard's availability for the rest of the tournament.
De Bruyne was back on the pitch full time, but it was worth noting that several of his teammates withdrew from the ceremony to ask about his injury. The Manchester City midfielder does not have much time to recover ahead of Friday's meeting with Italy in Munich.
On the tough side of the draw, Belgium already faced a difficult task to reach the final at Wembley on 11 July, which could include Portugal, Italy in the knockout rounds and semi-final favorites France. It would have been tough without their two star names, but the Belgian proved against the defending champions that they are more than just goals. There is dirt there too.