Peep peep! Belgium lead through a spectacular goal from Thorgan Hazard. That was one of the only highlights of a somnolent, cagey first half. I say ‘somnolent’ and ‘cagey’; what I really mean is crap. Palhinha cracks a bouncing ball into orbit from the edge of the D. De Bruyne is up and about, though he’s only jogging at the moment.
De Bruyne injured! Another dangerous Belgium break ends with Dalot slicing the ball towards his own goal. Rui Patricio makes a comfortable save. Meanwhile, Joao Palhinha is booked for a foul on De Bruyne at the start of that move. He got the ball but went through De Bruyne, who knee got stuck in the turf. This is a big worry.
On reflection, Rui Patricio might have done better there. It was a superb strike but it didn’t go right in the corner. I think Patricio put his weight on the wrong foot, his right, and that meant he couldn’t spring far enough to his left to save the shot.
Thorgan Hazard has given Belgium the lead with a rasper. Meunier picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and gave it to his fellow wing-back Hazard. He had two quick touches and then smashed a beautiful shot that swerved from Rui Patricio and into the far corner.
Portugal work the corner short, and then Guerreiro hits a miserable shot from 25 yards that is booted away. Renato Sanches, the brightest attacking player on the pitch in the face of no competition, charges away from De Bruyne and Witsel before finding Bernardo Silva on the right. He wins a corner for Portugal, the first of the game at either end…
The right wing-back Meunier cuts infield, plays a one-two with De Bruyne on the edge of the area and flicks an extravagant shot with the outside of his right foot. It drifts a few yards wide. Belgium breaks menacingly from a Portugal free-kick. Lukaku surges away from Palhinha, who has a good tug of his shirt and still can’t stop him. The referee plays the advantage and Lukaku’s pass to Thorgan Hazard is intercepted on the edge of the area.
A much exciting second half awaits.
