Belgium beat stubborn Finland to continue perfect record

Belgium beat stubborn Finland to continue perfect record, Finland remain hopeful as they look to reach last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams

Belgium qualified for the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 as Group B winners, defeating a resolute Finland, who finished third in the group.

Knowing they needed just one point to go through in a difficult group, Finland allowed the Red Devils to have the ball, defending in numbers with awareness and vigour.

Belgium have dominated other teams at this tournament, but Markku Kanerva's side frustrated the Belgians.

Belgium's best chance came late in the first half when Jeremy Doku forced Finland's goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky to make a brilliant save.

Just after the hour, the goalie made another great save to deny Hazard, by which time Glen Kamara had managed to get his first effort on target for the Finns. 

Soon after, Belgium believed they had broken through, but a Lukaku effort was called offside after a VAR review.

Hradecky, on the other hand, was dealt a painful blow when Thomas Vermaelen's strike ricocheted back at him off the goalpost, and he spilt the ball into his own net. 

Lukaku thumped in his third goal of the tournament following a slick spin inside the penalty area, putting the game out of reach.

Man of the match: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Instrumental for Belgium ✅

🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne takes the plaudits 🥇@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/T3OX8AhiJ3

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 21, 2021

What the players and managers said

Markku Kanerva, Finland coach: "We were a little unlucky with the first goal. I'm disappointed we couldn't get a point. We now have a little, little chance of going through, but I'm proud of our performance in the tournament. We showed we belong here."

Tim Sparv, Finland midfielder: "I'm extremely disappointed. We defended very well, we worked really hard. I'd been hoping for more but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Belgium in the final."

Paulus Arajuuri, Finland defender: "It was a really good game. Belgium are a very good side, but we played well as a team, we didn't give them any space. We battled well, we were very disciplined. Up to the 74th minute it was a brilliant game from Finland, but Belgium showed why they're number one in the world. We had hoped to finish second in the group. That was the dream, but now we can only hope."

Roberto Martínez, Belgium coach, speaking to EURO2020.com: "We were really focussed, professional. We defended very well and waited for the first goal. We knew that would open everything up. We were almost there in the first half but we adapted to a difficult team. Finland have had a great tournament, and we had to be at our best to get the win today."

Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium midfielder: "It was a tough game today. We knew that Finland would play very compact and would be difficult to break down. But from the moment we scored, we knew they had to come out and it was more open. Our second half was a lot better."

Jeremy Doku, Belgium winger speaking to EURO2020.com: "I'm very happy with my performance. It was a good game, a little difficult to make chances. The coach told me to enjoy it. It was a big opportunity for me [to impress], and that's what I did. Finland defended very deep and we can learn from games like this. But we're a big team, we're not scared [of anyone]."

How Group B finished

Group B winners: Belgium 🇧🇪✅
Group B runners-up: Denmark 🇩🇰✅#EURO2020

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 21, 2021

Finland 0-2 Belgium: Watch the full match highlights