Euro 2020 Round Up: Hazard strike ends Portugal’s reign, Czechs knock out 10-man Netherlands

The second day of the round of 16 of the Euros came off Sunday June 27, 2021 with another two big clashes.

Czech Republic and Netherlands were bidding for a quarter final spot when they came face to face in front of a capacity crowd that provided a deafening wall of noise at the Puskas Arena for most of an absorbing last-16 contest.

Two second half goals from Tomas Holes and Patrik Schick sealed victory for the Czechs over 10-man Netherlands and a place in Euro 2020 quarterfinals.

Holders Portugal took on top-ranked Belgium in a most anticipated clash in last 16 when Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku came toe-to-toe at the Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain.

Thorgan Hazard’s solitary strike three minutes before the break broke the hearts of a resilient Portugal side to a 1-0 loss to Belgium.

We begin today’s episode reliving the glorious and inglorious moments from Day 17.

RESULTS

Netherlands 0 – 2 Czech Republic

Belgium 1 – 0 Portugal

SUMMARY

Czech Republic sink 10-man Netherlands into Euro 2020 quarters

Czech Republic stunned 10-man Netherlands outfit at the Puskas Arena on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals.

Netherlands had some early promising moments and made a threatening start but Jaroslav Šilhavý men stood firm and proved a hard nut to crack.

The game changing moment came shortly after restart when Matthjis de Ligt was sent off for deliberate hand ball that denied Czech striker Schick a clear run through on goal.

The referee initially dished out a yellow card to De Ligt but a subsequent check from the VAR made him overturn his original decision to a controversial red card that saw the Netherlands play out the rest of the game with 10 men.

Tomas Holes put the Czechs ahead in the 68th minute through a header following superb free kick from Barák before Patrik Schick second goal in the 80th minute capped a great performance and settle nerves.

Czech Republic will travel to Azerbaijan to play out their quarter final tie against Denmark in Baku Olympic Stadium, Saturday 3 July.

New Euros Champions to be crowned as Belgium oust Portugal

A buoyant Belgium side edged 1 – 0 past Portugal in an awe-inspiring clash that saw the title holders crush out of the 2020 European Championship.

Portugal’s quest of retaining the UEFA EURO title was truncated in the round of 16 thanks to Thorgan Hazard’s winner for Belgium in Seville.

After a quite opening five minutes Belgium had all the possession and created more chances but a resilient Portugal side were asking the questions in front of goal.

Thorgan Hazard netted a swerving long-range screamer three minutes before the break to give Belgium lead. Cristiano Ronaldo took a sensational freekick in first half, but it was saved by a dive from Thibaut Courtois.

The Red Devils ensured that a new champion will be crowned as they maintained their lead to make sure Portugal is eliminated from the major tournament.

Belgium heads to Munich to play next Italy on Friday 2 July.

MONDAY’S PREVIEW

Croatia vs Spain – Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark 4PM

Croatia are looking forward to reach the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time in 13 years, but they face a tricky tie to navigate against Spain in Copenhagen.

Spain misfired earlier in the group stage but ended it with a 5-0 thrashing of Slovakia, aided by a couple of own goals and extraordinary errors, but Luis Enrique will hope he has now found something of a winning line-up in attack as a result.

France vs Switzerland – National Arena Bucharest , Romania 7PM

Les Blues play Switzerland in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 on Monday night, as Didier Deschamps’ side seek to move a step closer to a World Cup-Euros double.

Switzerland will aim to produce a shock of seismic proportions during their Euro 2020 last-16 clash on Monday, as they gear up to meet reigning world champions France at the National Arena in Bucharest.

Favorites France finished first in the group of death to seal progress into the knockout rounds, while Switzerland managed to qualify as one of the four best third-placed outfits.

With stakes-high in this match up anything can happen in knockout football.

Acknowledgement : Betway Ghana ( Headline Sponsor)

Mark F. | SilverFM