Thorgan Hazard’s stunning first-half strike ended the Seleção’s reign as European champions.
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Portugal’s defence of their UEFA EURO title came to an end in the round of 16 thanks to Thorgan Hazard’s winner for Belgium in Seville.
Portugal had the early sniffs of goal with Diogo Jota dragging wide and Cristiano Ronaldo, seeking to become the outright top scorer in the history of international football, stinging the palms of Thibaut Courtois with a free-kick. The Red Devils failed to trouble Rui Patrício until close to the interval, then Hazard’s vicious swerving effort fizzed past the Portugal No1 to break the deadlock.
Roberto Martínez lost the services of Kevin De Bruyne – and their rhythm – shortly after half-time but their defensive resolve remained, Diogo Jota off target with a rare opening for Fernando Santos’s frustrated outfit. The Seleção came on strong as their grip on the trophy weakened, Rúben Dias’s header testing Courtois and Raphaël Guerreiro firing against the post, but this was the Belgians’ day.
