News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 3 years ago
Home  » Sports » PICS: Relentless Belgium too good for Finland

PICS: Relentless Belgium too good for Finland

June 22, 2021 03:54 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Belgium will face one of the third-placed sides in Seville on June 27.

Denmark will play Wales in Amsterdam on June 26.

Romelu Lukaku scores Belgium's second goal during the Euro 2020 Group B match against Finland, at Saint Petersburg stadium in Russia, on Monday.

IMAGE: Romelu Lukaku scores Belgium's second goal during the Euro 2020 Group B match against Finland, at Saint Petersburg stadium in Russia, on Monday. Photograph: Anatoly Maltsev/Getty Images

Belgium outclassed Finland 2-0 on Monday to continue their perfect start to Euro 2020 and finish top of Group B, leaving the Finns facing a nervous wait to see if they can sneak into the last 16.

 

A much-changed Belgium side dominated the game but only found a breakthrough in the 74th minute courtesy of an own goal from keeper Lukas Hradecky, who fumbled a Thomas Vermaelen header over the line after it had crashed off the woodwork.

Belgium's Thomas Vermaelen heads on target before Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky makes a mess of the collection and concedes and own goal.

IMAGE: Belgium's Thomas Vermaelen heads on target before Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky makes a mess of the collection and concedes and own goal. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

Striker Romelu Lukaku clinched the victory in the 83rd minute by swivelling to thump home a Kevin de Bruyne pass and score his third goal of the tournament.

Belgium, who became the third team after Italy and the Netherlands to win all three group games, will face one of the third-placed sides in Seville on June 27.

Denmark, second in Group B after their 4-1 win over Russia on Monday, will play Wales in Amsterdam on June 26.

Finland, who came third with three points, must wait until the end of the group stage to see if their adventure in a first ever major tournament will continue and they need a series of results to go their way if they are to make the last 16.

"It was a tough game today. We knew that Finland would play very compact and would be difficult to break down. But from the moment we scored, we knew they had to come out and it was more open," Belgium midfielder De Bruyne said.

Belgium's Jeremy Doku essays a shot at goal while challenged by Finland's Paulus Arajuuri.

IMAGE: Belgium's Jeremy Doku essays a shot at goal while challenged by Finland's Paulus Arajuuri. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

Finland keeper Hradecky was proud of his side's showing in the three games but not confident about their prospects of going through.

"The third place doesn't comfort us at this moment," he said.

"We have come a long way together. The guys have blocked dozens, if not hundreds, of shots, and I’ve caught some. We win as a team and we lose as a team. The journey continues. We will be coming back. Finland belongs in the major tournaments."

A pitch invader is stopped by ground staff.

IMAGE: A pitch invader is stopped by ground staff as play is held up. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez made changes from the side that beat Denmark 2-1 but his was still a line-up bursting with world-class talent as Eden Hazard and De Bruyne made their first starts of the tournament.

Teenager Jeremy Doku was their liveliest threat and created the only real moment of danger before halftime when he drifted in from the left wing and aimed a shot towards the bottom corner but Hradecky made a fine save.

Finland defended resolutely but did not have a real chance of their own until after the hour mark when Glen Kamara fired straight at Thibaut Courtois.

Hazard was denied by a big save from Hradecky and Belgium thought they had taken the lead when Lukaku controlled a threaded pass from De Bruyne and celebrated the goal before a lengthy VAR review ruled him fractionally offside.

Finland finally cracked under the pressure when Hradecky turned the ball over the line after Vermaelen's thumping header from a corner struck the post.

Lukaku then used a combination of skill and power to seal the victory and continue his prolific start to the tournament, joining Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Czech Republic's Patrik Schick and the Netherlands' Georginio Wijnaldum on three goals.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25