The champion is dead; long live the champion.Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the side that won the EURO 2016, are out of the EURO 2020 after losing to Belgium 1-0. In an atrocious tie, which didn’t live up to high expectations, Belgium maybe weren’t even better but managed to put Ronaldo under control and exploit its own virtues to the full extent.Cristiano stumbles, once again (©Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)After a dull 40 minutes that saw not much of an action on both ends, the Red Devils struck suddenly. Lukaku, De Bruyne, and Meunier exchanged passes before Thorgan Hazard got a hold of a ball near the box. His shot was powerful and accurate, but it looked as if Portugal’s keeper Rui Patricio should have reacted better and denied it. However, it was 1-0 for Belgium moments before the half-time break.The Thorgan Hazard screwball.The power-technique combo on this goal is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/XHVHB5bwCH— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) June 27, 2021 If you thought the reigning champions would hit back furiously in the second half, you were more than wrong. Except for Ruben Dias’ header and Guerero’s sharp strike that ended in a crossbar minutes before the end, we saw none of the expected Portuguese firepowers.Albeit they were far from smooth and glamorous, the Belgians are going to the 1/4 finals, where they will meet Italians. What worries them more than Azurri is De Bruyne’s injury, because Manchester City midfielder is heart and soul of this side.
