Romel Lukak’s Belgian assault tank did not score in the match against Finland. His goal in the second half was thwarted by an offside.
Maxim Shemetov, Reuters
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The “Red Devils” followed the previous two victories over Russia and Denmark and advanced to the elimination phase from first place without losing a point. As a newcomer to the big euro tournament, the Finns lost for the second time and finished third in the table with three points. They have not completely lost hope for the round of 16, because in addition to the first two teams from each group, the best four from third places will also enter the elimination phase.
“We have very little chance to advance. I’m proud to have finished higher in the table than Russia. I don’t know how many people before the tournament thought we were going to the last match with a chance to advance. Denmark deserved second place, but I proud of the team for its performances at the championship, “Finnish coach Markku Kanerva told uefa.com.
EURO 2021
The European Football Championship, which was originally scheduled to be played a year ago, it starts on June 11 and ends on July 11. EURO is hosted by eleven countries, the Czech national football team is in group D together with England, Croatia and Scotland. The championship finale is played at the legendary Wembley.
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The Belgians won all the group matches on the Euro for the first time in history. The leaders of the FIFA national team defeated the Finns after seven duels and extended the series without a loss to 12 matches. He will perform in the eighth finals on Sunday in Seville, the opponents will only get to know them.
Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky collects in the duel with Belgium for the EURO.
Dmitri Lovetsky, ČTK / AP
“We knew the Finns would be very compact and it would be very difficult to break through their defenses. But the moment we did, we knew they would have to open the game and there would be more space on the lawn. The other half was much better.” said Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who was named the player of the match.
The Belgians, with the certainty of advancing in several positions, spread the line-up and initially played against the outsider very lukewarmly. The favorite created the first bigger chance in the 42nd minute. Doku fired at the back post and Finy was saved by a good intervention by goalkeeper Hradecky.
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Finnish footballer Glen Kamara (left) in a duel with Jason Denayer from Belgium at the EURO.
Kirill Kudryavtsev, Reuters
The native from Bratislava held the Northerners even in the 63rd minute, when Eden Hazard’s attempt started. The Belgians, who drew 1: 1 with the Czech Republic in Prague in March in the world qualification, did not open the score even two minutes later. Kanonýr Lukaku had a hard time on the waterlogged pitch – his trademark technique was nowhere in sight today.
The current hero of the Hradecky match eventually became a big loser. After 74 minutes, following yet another great corner, Vermaelen knocked the ball to the limit of Vermaelen’s reach, who just couldn’t put it in the net. A record six own goals have already been scored at the ongoing Euro, which is twice as many as at any of the previous championships.
In the 81st minute, one of the main gold adepts finally decided. De Bruyne found Lukaku in the lime, which wrapped around the defender and increased with the help of a gentle flow. The historically best scorer of the Belgian national team scored the 63rd goal for the national team and with the third goal on the ongoing Euro he reached the top of the table of gunners. The Czech striker Patrik Schick is also in the leading four.
“It was a really good match from us. We didn’t give our opponents space, we fought, we were disciplined. It was a brilliant performance from our team until the 74th minute, but Belgium then showed why it is number one in the world,” said the Finnish defender. Paulus Arajuuri.
| European Football Championship: |
| Group B (St. Petersburg): |
| Finland – Belgium 0: 2 (0:0) |
| Goals: 74. own Hradecky, 81. Lukaku. Judges: Brych – Borsch, Lupp – Fritz (video, all German). No cards. Attendance: 18,545 (limited number). |
| Finland: Hradecky – Raitala, Toivio, Arajuuri, O’Shaughnessy, Uronen (70. Alho) – Lod (90. + 1 Forss), Sparv (59. Schüller), Kamara – Pohjanpalo (70. Kauko), Pukki (90. + 1 Jensen). Trainer: Kanerva. |
| Belgium: Courtois – Boyata, Denayer, Vermaelen – Trossard (75th Meunier), De Bruyne (90th + 1 Vanaken), Witsel, Chadli – Doku (76th Batshuayi), Lukaku (84th Benteke), E. Hazard. Coach: Martinez. |
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