Euro 2020 Last 16: Portugal vs Belgium – Key strengths and weaknesses, Line-up comparisons, Key players, Team news and predictions
Portugal vs Belgium match preview:
Belgium and Portugal are going head to head in the last 16 knockout stage of UEFA Euro 2020.Belgium are coming in the knockout stage on the back of 3 straight wins in group stage by scoring 7 goals and conceding just 1 in their respective matches and finished first in their group.
On the other hand, Portugal had rather mixed tournament so
far with one win, one draw and a defeat in their group stage matches. Portugal also
scored 7 goals but conceded 6 which includes goals in defeat against Germany.
Portugal finished on third place in group F which was also known as group of death.
Key strengths:
First we will look at the key strengths of Belgium
Romelu Lukaku, Goal scoring machine
Romelu Lukaku is a goal scoring machine for Belgium as he
scored 3 goals in group stage matches including 2 against Russia and 1 against
Finland. Having Lukaku in the attack is a major strength for team Belgium.
Attacking midfield featuring Kevin de Bruyne
Belgium’s goal scoring heavily depends upon their midfielders
like Kevin de Bruyne, Tielemans, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel. All of these
players have attacking prowess and stamina to control the midfield both
attackingly and defensively. Romelu Lukaku’s goal scoring depends upon the
quality assists provided by the likes of de Bruyne.
Lightning fast wing backs
Belgium plays with the line-up of 3-5-2-1. Wing backs play
very important role in the midfield as Thomas Meunier and Thorgan hazard has lightning
fast speed along with top class crossing which can rattle any defense. They add
much more strength in an already attacking midfield.
Now we will look at the key strengths of Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo
I don’t think there is any need to explain why Cristiano
Ronaldo is the key strength for team Portugal. Ronaldo is already tournaments
top scorer with 5 goals in 3 matches. Ronaldo is a goal scoring machine that
score penalties, free kicks, headers like no other. He scored 2 crucial goals against
Hungary, 1 against Germany and 2 against France. Having Ronaldo’s name on the
team sheet can terrorize any defense in the football world.
Skillful wingers involving Bernardo silva
Another major strength for Portugal is their wingers. Having
Ronaldo in the free roam role means Bernardo silva and Jota can find loads of
space on the flanks as opposition’s defense try to keep hold of Ronaldo. This provides
these wingers opportunity to deliver pin point crosses to Cristiano Ronaldo in
the box or to cut back and try to score themselves.
Key weaknesses:
First we will look at the major weaknesses of Belgium
Vulnerable defense
With so much attacking options, Belgium lacks some sort of defensive
strength. It’s bit strange what I am saying if you look at the Belgium’s defensive
stats in Euro 2020. I am saying this because Belgium had a rather easy group as
compared to Portugal. Teams like Russia, Finland and Denmark were no match for
No.1 ranked side in the world. The only goal that Belgium conceded was against Denmark.
Belgium were so dominant against these teams that Thibaut
Courtois made only 7 saves in 3 matches. Their defense is yet to face an
attacking team like Portugal. This defense will be vulnerable in front of
attacking trio of Portugal if Belgium’s wing backs failed to track back in
time. Although they have an excellent goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois, they need
to keep their composure in order to stop Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring. This
is the only weakness that team Belgium have
Now we will look at the weaknesses of Portugal
Rattled defense
Portugal have Pepe, Dias and Patricio in the heart of defense.
They conceded 6 goals in three matches which includes goals against Germany. Their
defense looked rattled against top class teams like Germany and France. Belgium
is no different than these two teams as their strength in attack makes red devils
a powerful force.
Portugal’s defense needs to step up in this knockout game as
Belgium will come out all guns blazing at them right from the start. If they will
look clueless again tonight as they were in game against Germany than I don’t
think Ronaldo can drag them to the quarters.
Clueless midfield
Portugal’s midfield was heavily dependent on Bruno Fernandes
coming in this tournament but he failed miserably. Although their midfield
had good games but Bruno was nowhere to be seen in all three games. He was so
poor that Renato Sanches started ahead of their crucial game against France. If
Portugal want to dominate the likes of Witsel, de Bruyne and Tielemens then
Bruno Fernandes need to give a top class performance in the most important game
of the tournament.
'Bruno Fernandes is nowhere to be seen for Portugal'
Portugal’s midfield needs to share attacking burden of
Cristiano Ronaldo if they want to progress any further in the tournament.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Belgium vs Portugal is going to start at
8pm BST on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Seville, Spain
Team news
Kevin De Bruyne is set to start the match after coming on as a substitute in group stage matches. Captain Axel Witsel will also join him in midfield. Thomas Meunier likely to keep his place, while Thorgan Hazard will join him in wing backs position.
As for Portugal, Semedo picked up a knock in last match but
he is back fully fit. Renato Sanches best performance against France will help
him in retaining his starting spot and Bruno Fernandes is not likely to start
yet again.
Predicted lineups
Belgium XI:
Courtois
Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen
Meunier, De Bruyne, Witsel, T. Hazard
Mertens, E. Hazard
Lukaku
Portugal XI:
Rui Patrício
Semedo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro
Perriera, Sanches, Moutinho
Bernardo, Ronaldo, Jota
Belgium vs Portugal score prediction
This game is going to be a treat to watch for fans as this
tie can go either way. As both defenses looks very much vulnerable, we can
expect some goals tonight.
Belgium’s golden generation has last chance to win European
championship as they need to knockout defending champions featuring super star Cristiano
Ronaldo. We predict
Belgium 2-3 Portugal
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