Euro 2020 power rankings: Belgium and England on the up for last eight

30-Jun-2021 16:05:41 | The Guardian

Belgian and English defences stand firm in big tests, Spain’s rollercoaster rides on and Switzerland surpass all expectations

Were presented with the toughest of tests in the last 16 in the shape of the reigning champions, Portugal, but won a surprisingly feisty encounter 1-0 thanks to Thorgan Hazard’s sumptuous strike. The veterans Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermaelen (combined age: 100 years) coped admirably with everything Portugal threw at them in the kind of game they may have lost a few years ago. “We had to show an incredible mentality,” Roberto Martínez said. “Everything was about being disciplined and tactically astute. That is what a winning team needs.” The injured Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard may miss out against Italy but Belgium feel they have a squad that can cope with that.