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Belgium to face Azzurri as Portugal and Ronaldo fall foul of Hazard

Belgium have knocked defending European champions Portugal out of this year's competition followi...



Belgium to face Azzurri as Por...
Soccer

Belgium to face Azzurri as Portugal and Ronaldo fall foul of Hazard

Belgium have knocked defending European champions Portugal out of this year's competition following a 1-0 victory in Seville.

Thorgan Hazard, younger brother of Eden Hazard, scored the winner in the 42nd minute, with a lovely swerving shot that beat Rui Patricio.

It was Belgium's only shot on target in the whole game, but it was enough for them to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo went close with a free-kick early in the game and Raphael Guerreiro hit the woodwork late on, but it wasn't to be for the Portuguese.

Ronaldo needed one more goal to break the record for the most international goals scored. He will have another chance against the Republic of Ireland in September's World Cup qualifier.

It remains to be seen if the 36-year-old will grace another major international tournament.

As for Belgium - they will play Italy in Munich on Friday and they may have to do so without creative players Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.

Both players had to be substituted. De Bruyne appeared to roll his ankle, while Eden Hazard may have pulled a hamstring.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois feels it was a solid display.

"I didn't have a lot of work to do in the previous three games, but I knew that wasn't going to be the case against Portugal. I am proud of my teammates; they defended very well. Italy will be difficult too, but we have proved today that we are ready for it."

Earlier, the Czech Republic knocked the Netherlands out of the competition, winning 2-0 in Budapest.

Matthijs De Ligt was sent off early in the second half for an intentional handball and that gave the Dutch a mountain to climb.

Tomas Holes and Patrik Schick then scored within a 12-minute spell to send the Czech Republic through to face Denmark in the last eight.

It was a disappointing end to the tournament for the Dutch, who scored seven goals in the Group stage.

That game between the Czechs and the Danes will be staged in Baku on Saturday.

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