Finland 0-2 Belgium
Belgium came into Euro 2020 as one of the favourites to win the tournament, and they have lived up to that billing so far. The Red Devils defeated Finland 2-0 in their final group game to win Group B with a perfect three wins out of three.
Belgium took the lead through a fortuitous own goal from Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. Romelu Lukaku then sealed the win with his third goal of the tournament to keep his Golden Boot hopes very much alive.
But while Belgium easily got past the group stage, bigger and tougher tests now await them in the round of 16.
Highlights of the game
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez made big Euro 2020 news with his starting lineup as he picked veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel – who is just six months removed from a torn Achilles – and Thomas Vermaelen to make their first starts of the tournament. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Jeremy Doku was given his first start in a major international tournament.
With the Red Devils already qualified for the last 16, they took their time to get into the game. Their first notable attack came on 16 minutes as De Bruyne delivered a beautiful pass to Lukaku, who just fired his shot wide. However, the Belgium striker had just drifted offside, so the goal would not have counted.
De Bruyne also had his turn to threaten the Finnish goal as he dribbled right through their defence to deliver a dangerous cross across the face of goal. A Finnish defender almost diverted the ball into his own net, but Lukas Hradecky’s face got in the way to prevent the own goal.
Witsel had a couple of long-range attempts that were not all that threatening. Similarly, Leandro Trossard blazed a shot from the edge of the box over the bar.
De Bruyne and Lukaku would then combine once again on 37 minutes. Lukaku was onside this time, but his header went straight into the arms of Hradecky.
Belgium’s best chance of the first half fell to the teenager Doku, who received De Bruyne’s pass on the left wing, cut inside to shoot with his right foot and would have scored if not for a Hradecky’s strong left hand.
Belgium continued their one-sided assault on Finland’s goal in the second half as Eden Hazard forced another fine left-handed save from Hradecky after the hour mark.
Lukaku finally got the ball in the back of the net a few minutes later, but after a long VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to offside. The margin was razor thin, but it was the right decision.
However, the Belgians finally found the breakthrough on 74 minutes, albeit through some good fortune. Thomas Vermaelen’s header off a corner ricocheted off the post and onto the left hand of Hradecky, who could not react quickly enough to prevent the own goal this time around.
Lukaku then added the finishing touches to another win with a goal nine minutes from time. After receiving De Bruyne’s pass in the penalty area, Lukaku spun and struck with such speed that Hradecky had no chance.
Key statistics
The Belgians absolutely dominated the Finns. They had 60 per cent of possession and had a 17-7 shot advantage, 7-1 in terms of shots on target.
Hazard had a lively game, which should be encouraging to Belgian fans. He and Lukaku had four shots (with two on target) each. Lukaku now has three goals in the tournament, tied with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gini Wijnaldum, and Patrik Schick. He is also up to 63 goals in 96 caps.
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne was excellent in his first start of the tournament. The Manchester City maestro, who scored in their 2-1 win against Denmark, ran the show for Belgium and had seven passes that led directly to a shot, which is a remarkable number.
What’s next?
After breezing through Group B, Belgium now await their Round of 16 opponent, which will be the third-placed team from Group A, E, or F. As things stand, Belgium will face Group A’s third-placed team Switzerland.
The Euro 2020 betting odds should have them favoured to get past the Swiss, who have failed to get past the Round of 16 in each of their last five tries in both the Euros and the World Cup. Stay tuned for SBOTOP’s preview of Belgium’s Round of 16 matchup.
As for Finland, they still have hope of making it to the Round of 16 as one of the top third-placed teams. As things stand, they would get in with just three points, but they have the worst goal difference of the group, so they are still in danger of getting knocked out.
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