Richmond C. Amadi is an independent journalist, Book Publisher, member of RSU Alumni, Researcher (currently researching with Researchgate.net), Writer, Motivational Speaker. He is a BSc Holder in Office and Information Management, and Diploma holder in Management all from Rivers State University. Currently doing his MSc with RSU. Contact him on Richmond.amadi@ust.edu.ng or Amadirichmondc@gmail.com All Social Platforms: @amadirichmondc
A shocking strike from Thorgan Hazard gave Belgium a 1-Zero win over holders Portugal to arrange a Euro 2020 quarter-final in opposition to Italy.
In a typically cagey and ill-tempered contest in Seville, the youthful of the two Hazard brothers in Belgium’s starting line-up offered the sport’s only actual moment of quality when he turned loose a swerving, long-range effort which flew past Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio late within the first half.
Portugal had the higher probabilities earlier than that, with Diogo Jota firing wastefully wide and Euro 2020 top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo impel diving save from Thibaut Courtois with a well-struck free-kick.
However, regardless of the openings of Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix within the second half, Fernando Santos’ side was unfit to marshal an equalizer, with Raphael Guerreiro going closest when he knocked a soft shot towards the post within the closing stages.
Portugal’s gamers grew to become more and more pissed off as their expectations of defending the trophy dwindled, with referee Felix Brych exhibiting a string of yellow playing cards in a stop-start second half, and it was not all optimistic for Roberto Martinez’s side either.
Belgium missed Kevin De Bruyne to obvious ankle harm after a late challenge by Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha immediately before half-time, whereas Eden Hazard might also be a concern to encounter Italy in Munich on Friday having walked off clenching his hamstring late on.
