Belgium vs Portugal
Belgium make sure that there will be a new champion this Euro as they eliminate the reigning champs, Portugal, in a rough 1-0 match today at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Sevilla, Spain. Portugal would start off by controlling the game for most of the first half, and limiting Belgium to only one real chance, which they were able to convert. In the 42nd minute, Thorgan Hazard would fake his defender and take a beautiful shot from outside the box that swerved just out of keeper Rui Patricio’s reach and dropped into the bottom right corner. This goal was also the only shot out of Belgium’s six total chances that was actually on target.
Portugal would still control most of the second half, but Belgian goalie Thibaut Courtois was able to shut down their chances. Ronaldo would have a freekick that was headed for the bottom corner and took a great save from Courtois to keep it out. Portugal would also have a great corner taken by Bruno Fernandes, where teammate Rúben Dias would have a point-blank header that took a reflex save from Courtois to keep out.
This win means that Belgium are now into the Quarterfinals, where they will play Italy.
Netherlands vs. Czech Republic
Czech Republic would defeat the Netherlands 2-0 today at the Ferenc Puskás Arena in Budapest. The Netherlands would be playing down a player from the 55th minute onward as Dutch center defender Matthijs de Ligt would be sent off after using his hand to stop a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The first half was even with neither team having too many threatening chances. It wasn’t until the 68th minute that Czech midfielder Tomáš Holeš broke the stalemate from a header off of a corner kick. The Czechs wrapped up the game in the 80th minute when their main player Patrik Schick tapped the ball into the bottom left corner to finish their initial breakaway.
The Dutch had their chances to change the outcome but were not able to finish their opportunities, including a couple one-on-one situations.
This win means that Czech Republic are now into the Quarterfinals, where they will play Denmark.
Photo: Thorgan Hazard, from Shutterstock, taken by Alizada Studios