First Published Jun 28, 2021, 10:56 AM IST
The 2020 UEFA Euro is into its knockout stages, with four matches being completed so far. Sunday saw a couple of upsets, as the Netherlands and defending champion Portugal were knocked out. Here is the round-up of the two games.
The UEFA Euro 2020 is living its knockout stages to the fullest, with the pre-quarters creating thrills and excitements among the fans. However, Sunday produced a couple of heartbreaks as well, as two of the top sides, Netherlands and defending champion Portugal were knocked out. In the same light, we present the round-up from Sunday’s games.
Netherlands upset by the Czech Republic
In the opening game on Sunday, Netherlands was up against the Czech Republic at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. The opening half turned out to be intensely fought, with just three promising chances created, as the deadlock remained in place at half-time.
However, the following half marked the beginning of the drama, as Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt was handed a red card in the 52nd minute. It compelled the Czech to take full advantage of it, as Tomas Holes put it ahead 16 minutes later, while Patrik Schick doubled it with the winner in the 80th.
Stats
– De Ligt became the youngest player for the Netherlands playing his 30th game for the side (21 years and 319 days).
– Since Euro 2004, Holes has become the third Czech to score and assist in a Euro tie after Jan Koller and Milan Baros.
– For the first time since 1980, Netherlands has failed to record a single shot on target in a Euro/World Cup game.
– Georginio Wijnaldum scripted an unwanted for having registered just ten passes, which happens to be the fewest in a Euro match by a Dutch player.
Portugal fails to defend the title as Belgium overpowers it
In the most anticipated Sunday match, Portugal faced off against Belgium at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla. Interestingly, it happened to be the first-ever meeting between the two in the Euro/World Cup/Confederations Cup/Nations League.
The opening half saw a total of six attempts, while one of them turned out to be a goal from Thorgan Hazard, who put the Belgians ahead in the 42nd minute following an assist from Thomas Meunier, as it led at half-time. In the second half, Portugal upped its ante, while a total of seven attempts were made. Nevertheless, the Belgian defence failed to budge, as Thorgan’s strike turned out to be the winning goal at the full-time whistle.
Stats
– Thorgan became the first Belgian to score in consecutive Euro matches.
– While Portugal made 23 attempts during the game, it was the highest a team ever registered in a match this edition without scoring.
– Belgium faced the most attempts against it (23), overtaking Brazil’s attempts of 27 during the World Cup 2018.
– Portugal earned just a win in its four games in the tournament this term, its fewest since its debut in 1984.
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