Eden Hazard steps up fitness return as Group B winners Belgium beat Finland, who face nervous wait for last-16
james ducker
·18 min read
Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku impressed for Belgium - REUTERS
Lucas Hradecky own-goal from Thomas Vermaelen header gives Belgium lead
Late Romelu Lukaku strike - coupled with Denmark win - denies Finland automatic qualification
Fighting Finns now face nervous wait as one of the third-place teams
Romelu Lukaku scored his third goal of the tournament, Kevin De Bruyne offered another demonstration of his enduring class and, encouragingly for Belgium, Roberto Martinez believes his other game changer, Eden Hazard, will soon be back to his old self.
Hazard may not have managed the goal he craved but the Real Madrid forward completed 90 minutes for the first time since November 2019 in another boon for the Belgians ahead of a last 16 meeting with Switzerland or a third placed team from group D, E or F in Seville on Sunday.
Finland, by contrast, face an anxious wait to see if they have crept into the knockout rounds as one of the best third placed sides, even if that appears unlikely, after Lukas Hradecky’s own goal and a fine turn and finish from Lukaku ended any hopes of second place and immediate qualification.
Luckless Finland goalkeeper Lucas Hradecky saw Thomas Vermaelen's header strike the woodwork, rebound to hit him, and go over the line - AFP via Getty Images
Axel Witsel also finished the game for Belgium, in what has proven a remarkable recovery from tearing his Achilles tendon in January, and De Bruyne - also just back from injury - played 90 minutes before a late substitution but it was the sight of Hazard moving more freely that most excited Martinez.
Hazard has endured two injury plagued seasons since his move to Real from Chelsea but, while still well short of his best, these were still positive signs from the 30-year-old.
“The fluency is part of the talent so I’m not worried at all,” Martinez said. “He pushed himself, he got himself in good positions, he almost looks free.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen Eden Hazard turning and twisting left and right, there is not one worry in mind. He feels strong, he feels happy, his body is reacting well and the next aspect is to see Eden with that final pass and that shot that he finishes in the back of the net.
“The chances were there, I thought he was almost there in the first half and the second half so I was delighted with his performance. The next step will be his fluency and that doesn’t come from hard work but his talent so that’s the little bit we can leave to himself.”
Belgium never really needed to get out of third gear. Some valiant last ditch defending from Finland and some fine saves from Hradecky, including to keep out efforts from Jeremy Doku and Hazard, frustrated their opponents but it only felt like a matter of time before they would score. Hradecky was unlucky to see Thomas Vermaelen’s header from De Bruyne’s cross hit a post and bounce in off his back before Lukaku - who had a goal ruled out for the most slender of offsides - rolled Daniel O’Shaughnessy and shot low into the corner.
09:16 PM
The wider context of these results
It means that England will be in the knockout stages no matter what. I suppose that's actually the narrower, more parochial context isn't it?
It also means that Wales, used to being a limited team with some great vibes and one class player, are now going to be the designated villain - they play Denmark...
Anyway, that's all for another day, I'll wrap this one up now. Thanks for following, and we hope to see you tomorrow for England. Cheers.
08:54 PM
We will have a report
and reaction asap. Meanwhile allow me to treat you to this:
Lineker: "Jurgen, you not only said Belgium would grind them down, you said it would be in the 70-75th minute." Rio: "Houdini".
Lukaku can have a rest, Benteke comes on. Hazard is searching for a goal, lashes wide.
Finland vs Belgium, Euro 2020 live: score, team news and latest updates - Pool AFP Getty
08:40 PM
81 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 2
And the Danes have scored another! It's 4-1. Well I think both games can be said to be more or less settled.
08:39 PM
GOAL! Finland 0 Belgium 2 (Lukaku 80)
Nice from Belgium, this. De Bruyne plays it into the feet of Lukaku, who does a nice pick and roll, just moving the body and then shifting anti clockwise before firing it home.
08:37 PM
79 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 1
Pukki now manages to set up Lod, but he fires over.
Meanwhile, Denmark have gone 3-1 up thanks to an absolute thunderbison from Chelsea's Andreas Christensen . As it stands, the Danes are going through, the Finns are going out, the Russians are third.
08:35 PM
76 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 1
Have the Finns got any more to give? Here's Pukki.... he gets it on the left edge of the box, he should drive forward and hit it with the left but he checks back in onto the right and into the crowd.
Trossard substituted for Meunier.
Doku substituted for Batshuayi.
08:32 PM
GOAL! Finland 0 Belgium 1 (Hradecky OG 75)
And NOW Belgium have it in the net again, and it's from a corner, and it is so unlucky for Finland. Vermaelen rises mightily and heads it, it hits the post and then rebounds out to hit the goalie on the hand and go in. Oh cruel luck.
08:31 PM
70 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
The Telegraph's online publishing system, with its unerring instinct for packing up at exactly the worst moment, sadly chose to die between me typing that there was a goal and being able to tell you that it had been disallowed. It's like my own personal VAR evening ruiner. Anyway to recap: Lukaku with a nice finish, but he was ruled offside by a whisker, and it must have been 30 seconds or so delay before the officials relayed to the players and crowd that there was a check.
And then meanwhile, the Russians scored a penalty to make it 2-1.
08:23 PM
GOAL! Lukaku DISALLOWED!!
Ah there it is. Quality will out. Belgium come forward, they've got five on four, de Bruyne slips it to Lukaku, one touch, sets himself, tucks it away and that should be enough.
But hello.... what's this?
A very late VAR call. He was offside by a fraction. Very very close -and a very late call by VAR.
08:21 PM
64 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Yes keeper! Witsel dances through, slips it to Eden, who hits it at goal from close range - but Hradecky has kept that out. Nice work.
08:20 PM
63 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Finland's best moment: Kamara, Pohjanpalo and Pukki with a nice wee interchange, Kamara gets the shot off, but it's straight at Courtois. Hello Thibaut. Didn't see you there. Massive though you are. Are you having a peaceful evening?
08:18 PM
61 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Denmark have got the second. And you must seek it out - it's a classic of the defensive error kind.
08:17 PM
60 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Skipper Tim Sparv is getting subbed off. He was coming back from injury and looks well cooked.
08:15 PM
58 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Belgium take a cheeky wee short corner, Eden Hazard in the Sheddy Terringham role, but he doesn't get hold of his shot properly.
08:14 PM
57 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Saw that the classic Antti Niemi phone in "he's no finish, he's only 28" was doing the rounds again the other day. As a Hibs supporter, I am always fully up for a bit of confirmation bias that Hearts fans are dingdongs.
08:12 PM
55 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Kevin de Bruyne with a give and go to Romelu Lukaku, but it's cleared... sort of... now Nacer Chadli crosses and that is hacked away with the first real sign, perhaps, of Finnish panic.
08:10 PM
53 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Denayer and Hazard both have shots but neither is going to cause a Finn to flap.
08:05 PM
47 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
But normal service is soon resumed as Trossard gets round the back on the right and crosses. It is repelled. Corner. Cleared.
08:05 PM
46 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Finns make a hot start, good progress up the field.
08:04 PM
Right then!
Second half.
07:59 PM
Eden Hazard
Belgium's forward Eden Hazard reacts in pain after a challenge - AFP via Getty Images
07:54 PM
Here are the action areas
07:48 PM
Half time: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Pretty forgettable stuff. Belgium not really flexing their muscles. Finns have done well.
07:47 PM
45 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Lukaku sends Hazard through with a cute pass, O'Shaughnessy and Hazard tangle. The Belgian hits the turf. No penalty. He is grimacing and hobbling, Eden... Oh dear....
07:44 PM
43 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Denmark have taken the lead over Russia...
And that's handy-Scandi-as-it-stands-i: neighbours Finland are currently second in the group based on that. Long way to go.
07:43 PM
41 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
De Bruyne bossing this. Good prep run for him. He picks out Doku here, who overlaps down the left, and then cuts in onto his right to shoot. Nice crisp shot - and an excellent save.
07:38 PM
37 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
This is a poor match and a poor entertainment product as well, given the lack of jeopardy.
Still, no doubting the quality of Kevin de Bruyne, and he's produced a nice diagonal pass to Lukaku. But he cannot direct his effort goalwards.
07:37 PM
33 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Trossard and Witsel have rather lame shots.
07:37 PM
29 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Uronen clatters Trossard,
07:27 PM
26 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Axel Witsel has a go. Belgium are going through the gears. Into second now, pulling away from the coffee shop drive through window with half a pain au chocolat in their mouth.
This 4 3rd placed teams idea just takes all jeopardy and excitement out of the group stage. Really needs a rethink from @UEFA.
You don't win any prizes for playing brilliantly in all three group games, or indeed in any group games. In fact - and I don't want to shock you - you don't get any prizes for style at all. If Belgium can get through this while conserving physical and emotional energy then they'll take that.
07:25 PM
24 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
But now they're alive! KDB surges through, lovely run, crosses and Arajuuri nearly turns it into his own net. Luckily for the Finnish central defender, he manages to thonk it at the head of the keeper Hrádecky. It's not very dignified, but it is at least repelled.
07:23 PM
22 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Jonathan Pearce says that it was nearly 30 degrees in the stadium, and humid. Belgium playing a bit like a collection of people who'd rather be having a refreshing beverage.
07:22 PM
20 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Finland's forward Joel Pohjanpalo (L) passes the ball as he is marked by Belgium's defender Thomas Vermaelen - AFP Getty
Hazard and Lukaku link up but the quality in the final pass is lacking.
07:19 PM
17 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Uronen with a deep cross but he's put too much sinappijauhe - that's Finnish mustard powder - on his hit and it drifts out.
07:16 PM
15 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Lukaku through ... and clear ... and drags his shot just wide...
and is probably offside .
07:14 PM
12 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Rare excursion forward for the Finns, and a decent low cross to Pukki! He gets his feet in a muddle. You're not gonna get many chances/touches mate - better make them count...
07:13 PM
10 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Chadli looking the most likely source. Getting some space down the left and able to get some crosses going. Yet to find a spiffy delivery.
07:08 PM
7 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
Rare touch of the ball for Finland, who are dug in very deep. Not sure what the Finnish is for 'park the bus' but this is it.
07:06 PM
5 mins: Finland 0 Belgium 0
I suspect the direction of travel may be set for this match. The Fins have a flat back five. Three ratters in front of that. Couple of lads up front trying to cur off the angles.
Quite a few whistles and what, to me at least from a few thousand miles away watching on TV, sound like jeers.
06:56 PM
Anthem time
Belgium's is a jolly creature, plenty of parping and cutlery. Finland's a stirring, driving number. The Finnish guys look bang up for this one!
Finland captain Tim Sparv is back into the defence.
06:56 PM
Size XL
Belgium shirt (large) - Getty
06:52 PM
And there is English interest here
If Finland or Russia lose, England are guaranteed a place in last 16. That is because Group B's third place side will then have only three points, and because Group C's third placed side (Ukraine) managed only three, then any side with four points is going through. And England have four no matter what.
06:51 PM
The Finns
have had just two shots on target in their two games. (England have had just three, so let's not say anything rash). They beat Denmark in what, let's be honest, were very unusual and difficult circumstances.
06:48 PM
Team preview
Belgium are starting captain Eden Hazard, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and midfielder Axel Witsel together for the first time in the European Championship in their final Group B match against Finland.
Belgium, who have booked their place in the last 16, chose to rest midfielder Youri Tielemans, a key player in their wins over Russia and Denmark.
Finland captain Tim Sparv, who did not play in their 1-0 loss to Russia due to a knee injury, returns to the starting line-up against top-ranked Belgium.
Finland will progress to the next stage with a win. A draw would also send them through if Russia lose to Denmark in the other Group B game in Copenhagen on Monday.
Finland vs Belgium, Euro 2020 live: score, team news and latest updates - GETTY IMAGES
06:47 PM
The mighty owl (via Reuters)
An eagle owl which temporarily halted a Euro 2008 qualifier match between Finland and Belgium in front of 35,000 spectators in the summer, was named as Helsinki’s resident of the year by a journalists’ association.
In June the large bird of prey, later nicknamed Bubi, swooped over the football pitch before alighting on a goalpost and forcing the referee to hold up the game for six minutes.
06:44 PM
Feature about the Finnish eagle owl!
it's their lucky mascot since the 2007 visitation from the feathered friend.
06:39 PM
Talking of the Beeb
Jermaine Jenas is now presenting The One Show??!
06:38 PM
This match is on
BBC1, where they are showing that cute clip from the Belgium training camp where Thierry Henry, who is their assistant manager, pops a delicious freekick into the top corner and is mobbed by the Belgian lads. "Still got it" is the verdict of Rio, Shearer etc.
Jurgen Klinsmann's take on the ageing process: "The mind is still there - but the body won't follow it!"
06:33 PM
Right then
Who needs what? Well, Belgium don't need much, they are through no matter what. If they get a point they top the group.
The Finns have three points from their two games and a GD of zero. A point will get them through.
Our other game tonight is Russia vs Denmark.
06:03 PM
Team news!
Just one change for Finland after the Russia match with Sparv returning to reinstall the same starting XI that took on Denmark in the opening round.
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of tonight's Group B match between Finland and Belgium in St Petersburg.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard said his numerous ankle fractures meant it would never be the same as it was 10 years ago but he was determined to prove he could still perform at the highest level at the European Championship.
Hazard will start for the first time in Euro 2020 in tonight's match against Finland, his coach Roberto Martinez confirmed. But the 28-year-old attacker said he might not be ready to compete the full 90 minutes.
"I never doubted my qualities, but whether I would be 100% fit for the European Championship was going to be a question. I broke my ankle three times, it will never be the same as 10 years ago. But I know that when I am in shape, that I can prove myself on the field and that's what I'm working on now.
"I'm not 100 per cent yet, but I'm ready to start. But that was the plan, to bring me along gradually. It's especially important to be completely fit in the knockout phase. Then I have to be in top shape."
Two wins out of two for Belgium mean they are through to the last 16, and Martinez is using the game against the Finns to ensure Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel, also back from injury, get more game time.
"We will see how the match goes, but I may not be ready for 90 minutes. But I will play as many minutes as possible at a high level. If it is 50 minutes, it will be 50. If it is 60, it will be 60. We'll see," he told a news conference on Sunday.
Hazard was used a substitute in Belgium’s opening games, a thumping 3-0 win over Russia in St Petersburg and a come-from-behind win over Denmark in Copenhagen. He had been a fitness doubt in Belgium’s pre-tournament preparations after an injury-filled season at Real Madrid.
Top-ranked Belgium, one of the Euro 2020 favourites, are expected to win the group and keep on track for the title, but Hazard said thoughts of a first major title for the country were still some way off.
"We still have to work to get better. We are doing our best to get better, starting with tomorrow. The tournament is still long and we are trying to get as far as possible. There are still areas for improvement, but we are working with them."
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