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Belgium secured their berth in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over holders Portugal at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Red Devils edged past Cristiano Ronaldo and company thanks to an excellent strike from Thorgan Hazard in the 42nd minute.
The Borussia Dortmund star received the ball from Thomas Meunier and wrapped his foot around it from outside the box to find the far corner in spectacular fashion. Portugal did respond well in the second half, but eventually fell short as Raphael Guerreiro was denied a late equalizer after his shot stayed out off the upright.
Belgium, who are the top-ranked team in the world, will face Italy in the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for a first major piece of silverware.
Let's take a closer look at how each player from both sides performed during the game:
Belgium Player Ratings vs Portugal
Thibaut Courtois - 7/10
Courtois showed excellent command inside Belgium's six-yard area. He was tested by a swerving free-kick from Ronaldo in the first half and went down quickly to thwart the attempt. The shot-stopper also excelled with his positioning and reacted well to a header from Ruben Dias late on in the game, though the shot was straight at him.
Toby Alderweireld - 7/10
Alderweireld looked extremely comfortable playing out from the back. He always looked to get further up the pitch and contribute to Belgium's exploits going forward. However, the defender was lucky not to be punished early on after being dragged wide to open up space for Diogo Jota. He was eventually forced to help out extensively at the back as Portugal pushed for the equalizer.
Thomas Vermaelen - 8/10
Coped exceedingly well with the threat of Ronaldo. Vermaelen was brilliant in the air and hardly put a foot wrong in the first half. The veteran also produced two blocks and two interceptions, playing an integral role in helping Belgium maintain their slender lead until the final whistle.
Jan Vertonghen - 7/10
He was not overly troubled in the first half due to the ineffectiveness of Silva down that flank. Regardless, Vertonghen remained switched on at all times. It was only after the hour mark that he was really tested by Portugal, and he managed to come away unscathed to keep Belgium's clean sheet intact.
Thomas Meunier - 8/10
Meunier did not have the best of starts to the game. Despite occupying advanced areas on the flank, the wing-back was unable to threaten enough with his delivery on more than one occasion. As the game progressed, however, Meunier also grew in confidence. The 29-year-old squared the ball to Hazard for the Belgium goal and played his part in the outcome of the game.
Youri Tielemans - 7/10
Deployed in a deeper role in midfield, Tielemans looked up to the Portugal challenge throughout. The Leicester City star was quick to try and close down his counterparts and produced a number of excellent tackles in key areas. Tielemans also consistently tried to pick the ideal pass and was fantastic on the ball for Belgium.
Axel Witsel - 6/10
Witsel is still not at his best after sustaining an Achilles injury. But he still ensured he held his own amidst pressure from Portugal. The midfielder adds balance and level-headedness to the Belgium system and remains invaluable due to his experience.
Thorgan Hazard - 9/10
Hazard was simply outstanding throughout. In addition to a sensational strike that won the game for his side, he worked exceptionally well on the flanks. His ability to get up and down with vigor and determination frustrated Portugal. This might have just been Hazard's best ever match for Belgium considering the magnitude of the occasion.
Kevin De Bruyne - 5/10
De Bruyne did not find the kind of space and time on the ball to operate at the peak of his powers in the first half. Unfortunately, he was unable to shake off the effects of a challenge by Palhinha and had to be withdrawn early in the second half.
Eden Hazard - 7/10
The mercurial forward did not come off the blocks firing on all cylinders, but slowly settled down and showed signs of true quality. Hazard protected the ball well and impressed with his flicks and quick bursts of pace in the second half. The only drawback was his request to be withdrawn after what looked like a pulled muscle. Belgium will hope it is nothing serious.
Romelu Lukaku - 7/10
No goals for Lukaku, but he brings more than just that aspect to this team. The Inter Milan striker showed good strength to hold the ball up and bring his teammates into play. Lukaku's movement was also key in freeing up space for the opening goal, while he was a constant threat on the break in the second half for Belgium.
Substitutes
Dries Mertens - 6/10
The diminutive forward replaced the injured de Bruyne in the 48th minute. Mertens did not leave a lasting impression inside the final third, but just about did whatever he was asked to do in the first place.
Yannick Carrasco - N/A
Carrasco replaced Eden Hazard in the 87th minute, but did not have enough time to impact the game.
Leander Dendoncker - N/A
The Wolves midfielder came on for Thorgan Hazard in the 95th minute in a bid to kill more time as Belgium looked to see out the win.
Portugal Player Ratings vs Belgium
Rui Patricio - 5/10
An argument can be made for the number of bodies in front of him that might have hindered his vision. But it felt like Patricio was largely at fault for the Belgium goal. While it was a sweet strike from Thorgan Hazard, Patricio could have done a bit more. The Wolves custodian was caught completely unaware and misjudged the swerve on the ball as it whizzed past him.
Diogo Dalot - 5/10
Dalot was troubled by the constant pressure from Thorgan Hazard on the flank. He did try to venture forward for Portugal whenever he got the opportunity, but could not make the desirable impact at either end.
Pepe - 6/10
The veteran defender looked calm and composed while playing out from the back. Pepe received a yellow after a minor altercation with Lukaku following his rash challenge on Hazard.
Ruben Dias - 5/10
Dias dealt quite well with the threat of Lukaku early on, but will be disappointed to have not blocked Thorgan from getting his shot away for the Belgium goal. The Manchester City star also squandered a good chance for a Portugal equalizer when he hit his header straight at Courtois late on in the game.
Raphael Guerreiro - 6/10
Guerreiro was denied by the upright towards the dying embers of the game. He tried his best to push for a late equalizer, but was overshadowed by Meunier on the whole. On another night, the full-back might have forced the game into extra-time for Portugal, but it was not meant to be.
Renato Sanches - 6/10
Sanches showed glimpses of quality on the night against Belgium. He tried to play to his strengths by being direct in his approach and looking to take on his counterparts. Unfortunately for him and Portugal, there was no end product attached to the efforts.
Joao Palhinha - 7/10
He was slightly lucky to escape a booking for pulling Lukaku from behind, but Palhinha worked tirelessly during the game. The midfielder screened the back-four quite well and nullified the threat of de Bruyne to a considerable extent.
Although he was eventually booked, Palhinha was still one of Portugal's best performers on the whole against Belgium.
Joao Moutinho - 5/10
He looked tenacious early on as he occupied the most-advanced position in Portugal's midfield triumverate. However, Moutinho could not maintain the press and Belgium's energy ensured that his impact eventually waned. He was understandably replaced early in the second half by Joao Felix, with Portugal chasing the game.
Bernardo Silva - 4/10
Silva offered almost nothing while going forward as he remained a passenger for the majority of the first half. The Manchester City star produced a decent block to deny Lukaku on the counter, but was nowhere near Thorgan Hazard in the build-up to Belgium's opening goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 6.5/10
Didn't produce an awful lot of goal-mouth involvement in the first half. The closest Ronaldo came to scoring was the free-kick that Courtois thwarted in the first half.
There was some encouraging play that resulted in a chance for Jota later in the second forty-five. Ronaldo also created the joint-most chances (3) and took the joint-most shots (4). But the Portugal captain ultimately could not carry his team past Belgium to the next round.
Diogo Jota - 4/10
Another forgetful outing for Jota, who flattered to deceive on the night. The Liverpool forward sliced a shot wide after a good opening early on in the game. He also fired an attempt over the cross-bar in the second half. Considering his standards, it is safe to say Jota produced a lackluster display against Belgium.
Substitutes
Joao Felix - 5/10
The Atletico Madrid talent produced a tame attempt on the Belgium goal and fired a shot off target. As such, Felix did not make the desired impact after replacing Moutinho in the 55th minute.
Bruno Fernandes - 5/10
Fernandes tried to make an impact after replacing Bernardo Silva in the 55th minute. But the Manchester United man produced nothing substantial enough to force an equalizer. Fernandes was also dribbled past thrice by Belgium, which was more than any other Portugal player.
Andre Silva - 5/10
Silva had a good cross fed towards him by Guerreiro after coming on for Jota in the 70th minute. But the forward was unable to tuck it away in a scramble that involved Belgium keeper Courtois gathering the ball at the end.
Danilo Pereira - N/A
Pereira came on for Joao Palhinha in the 78th minute, but failed to impact the game.
Sergio Oliveira - N/A
Oliveira replaced Renato Sanches in the 78th minute, but was largely a bystander as Portugal exited the tournament.
