Euro 2020 Power Ranking: Assessing the leading sides

Euro 2020 Power Ranking continued...

4. Belgium

Belgium v Belarus - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Going all the way at Euro 2020 promises to be complicated for FIFA's No.1 team in the world, Belgium.

One of the chief reasons for this is the lack of form of Eden Hazard. The former Chelsea man has barely been fit since joining Real Madrid and has recently suffered a fresh muscular setback after a two-month spell on the sidelines. If he is not fit and firing, Belgium’s prospects at Euro 2020 will diminish significantly.

Head coach Robert Martinez does have other offensive aces to call upon, however. Most notable among these are Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne and Inter hitman Romelu Lukaku, who has been one of the most in-form strikers in European football this season.

Allied to this is an extremely experienced defensive line that may not be absolutely elite but is capable of frustrating even very good teams.

Belgium have recorded some eye-catching results of late, too. While an 8-0 win over Belarus earlier this week will get the headlines, it is their 4-2 success over Denmark – a team that has barely lost in five years – that is deserving of more attention but flew under the radar undetected.

So Belgium look in decent shape heading into Euro 2020 – the Hazard issue aside.

3. Portugal

Luxembourg v Portugal - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Portugal proved how good a tournament team they are five years ago when they won the European Championship in France. They were led by Cristiano Ronaldo and anchored by a well-organised defence, and Fernando Santos’ principles remain the same.

Ronaldo, of course, is Portugal’s ace going into Euro 2020, but there is far more to the attacking armoury of this team than just the Juventus star. With the likes of Joao Felix, Diogo Jota and Bernando Silva backing him up, there is much more to Portugal than just ‘CR7’.

It is Portugal’s defence, however, that will be vital in this competition. In Ruben Dias, they boast one of the signings of the summer anywhere in world football as he has shone with Manchester City, and Jose Fonte, still redoubtable even in the final years of his career.

Recent results have been solid without being brilliant – but that is no worry ahead of Euro 2020. That's the way Santos likes his team to roll.

This team seems to be flying under the radar a little, which is ridiculous given its talent, solidarity and tournament know-how.

Their biggest issue at Euro 2020 is that they have been placed in a group alongside Germany and France – two of the other big favourites to lift the title.