Seville: It seems like a never ending path of challenges for defending champions Portugal as they face World No.1 ranked side Belgium in the round of 16 at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville on Sunday (June 27). Drawn in the group of death alongside Germany and France, Portugal had the all possible trio of results in the group game. A hard earned victory in the first game again Hungary was followed by disappointed loss at the hands of Germany. However, having played out a 2-2 draw against world champions France in their last group, Fernando Santos’ side came into knockout as one of the four best 3rd-placed teams from stages.
Cristiano Ronaldo with his record equaling spot-kick brace inspired his side last time and being the top scorer in this tournament so far with five strikes shows how much his side needs him as a leader while also being on the verge of breaking it . However, it is youngster Renato Sanches Who ran the show in all the three games he has played. Bruno Fernades found it difficult to get his rhythm while Diogo Jota created much of the threat up front. The Joao Palhinha might get his place in the line up in place of Danilo and also Joao Moutinho who looked very promising in the last game.
As for, Belgium, they are determined to end title drought and lift its first major trophy. Boasted with likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, Roberto Martinez’s side topped their group and they are a side that are very tactically flexible.
Axel Witsel will probably replace Youri Tielemans alongside Nacer Chadli who will fill in the wingback role and its that wingback position which is area concern for the Belgians as they have face an opponent who has tremendous quality in the wide areas of the pitch and are also great on the counters.
Elsewhere, A Rejuvenated Netherlands will have their eyes on a quarterfinal spot when they face Czech Republic in the other game of the day at the Ferenc Puskás Stadium in Budapest. Having claimed victory in all of their group games, this will be the first time in the tournament that Frank de Boer’s side will be playing away from their home while they also kept clean sheets against Austria and North Macedonia.
The new generation of Dutch masters looked to have finally found their feet again. A side that is known for their all-round game, they played with fluidity, confidence and with the return of Mathijs de Ligt at the back, they found a good base from playing out the back. Bad news for them is that Luuk de Jong will not feature again in the tournament however, considering how Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst have led the attack till now, it won’t be much bothering for the Dutch side. Youngster Donyell Malen has been quite good with his pace and physicality while Georginio Wijnaldum and Frenkie de Jong have the two key men in the midfield.
As for Czech Republic, after finished third in Group D, they will have a tough task to contain the free-flowing Dutch side. Jaroslav Silhavy’s side will have to defensively solid in order give themselves a chance. Patrick Schick will be their man for the job with Tomáš Souček playing a vital role in that holding midfield role.
