Euro 2020: Czech Stun Netherlands, Belgium Beat Portugal To Set Up Italy Quarter-final

Euro 2020: Czech Stun Netherlands, Belgium Beat Portugal To Set Up Italy Quarter-final By Admin Czech Republic pulled off the shock of the European Championship so far by defeating the Netherlands and booking their place in the last eight after defender Matthijs de Ligt was sent off. Tomas Holes nodded in the opener 13 minutes after De Ligt saw red for handball following a VAR review, denying Patrik Schick a clear goalscoring opportunity. Holes then turned provider for Schick as the Czechs doubled their lead on 80 minutes. The Netherlands, down to 10 men for over half an hour, had a huge chance earlier on as Donyell Malen raced through one-on-one with goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. But the Czech Republic, ranked 40th in the world, 24 places behind the Dutch, went on to silence those in orange at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, setting up a quarter-final with Denmark on Saturday, 3 July. A moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. The Borussia Dortmund winger's swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first-half and carried Roberto Martinez's side into a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday. Portugal who again only introduced Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes from the bench will look back on key Diogo Jota chances, a Ruben Dias header that was saved and a late Raphael Guerreiro drive that struck the post. Kevin De Bruyne's fitness may dominate headlines in the build-up to the Italy showdown in Munich after he limped off moments after half-time, and Belgium also lost Eden Hazard to a complaint late on. The world's highest-ranked side may have key holes to fill but again they have showed they possess the grit to complement their undoubted quality. Many have tipped Roberto Mancini's side to go all the way given their impressive displays so far. Belgium may not have hit such entertaining heights here but there can be no doubt they pack enough of a threat to undo such opposition. To knock out the four-time world champions and European champions of 1968 will go a long way to bolster hope that this might finally be Belgium's year.