Belgium vs Portugal - Combined XI | UEFA Euro 2020

Belgium and Portugal will lock horns in a major international tournament for the first time.
Belgium and Portugal will lock horns in a major international tournament for the first time.

Belgium and Portugal meet in a mouth-watering Euro 2020 last-16 clash in Seville on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

The European powerhouses have traversed contrasting paths to reach this stage of the competition. The Red Devils cruised through Group B, winning all three of their games. Meanwhile, the defending champions finished behind France and Germany in the 'group of death'.

However, in a high-stakes match like this one, form tends to go out the window and either side could win, considering the interesting player matchups.

Belgium and Portugal have played each other several times in the past, but this will be their first meeting at a major tournament. That makes their duel all the more interesting and worth looking forward to.

Ahead of the highly anticipated kick-off, let's have a look at how Belgium and Portugal would stack up in a star-studded hypothetical combined XI in a 3-1-4-2 formation.


Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio (Portugal)

Rui Patricio is an underrated operator in Portugal's star-studded squad.
Rui Patricio is an underrated operator in Portugal's star-studded squad.

He wasn't the most stellar goalkeeper heading into Euro 2020, but after three games, Rui Patricio has made everyone take notice of him again.

The 33-year old pulling off a series of fine saves to bail Portugal out in tense moments. His acrobatic effort to stop Paul Pogba in the last group match is a huge reason why Portugal have reached the Round of 16.

His tally of 11 saves is the joint second-best among all goalkeepers active in the competition, with Belgium's Thibaut Courtois on seven.

Portugal will rely on Patricio to deny the in-form attacking duo of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, with his Belgian counterpart - without denying his capabilities - enjoying the luxury of a stoic defence in front of him.

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)

Jan Vertonghen has impressed for Belgium thus far.
Jan Vertonghen has impressed for Belgium thus far.

Jan Vertonghen's decline last year, which prompted him to leave Tottenham Hotspur, is well-documented. But he has given a good account of himself at Euro 2020.

He has read the game brilliantly and has averaged over four clearances per game; Vertoghen has dominated his aerial duels too. However, going up against the likes of Ronaldo and Jota will be a true test of his mettle.


Centre-back: Pepe (Portugal)

Pepe has aged like fine wine.
Pepe has aged like fine wine.

Even at 38 years of age, Pepe continues to pull the strings in defence for Portugal with elan. Although he isn't as quick as he was before, the former Real Madrid man's sheer physical strength and toughness could be crucial in stopping Romelu Lukaku and co.


Centre-back: Toby Alderweireld (Belgium)

Portugal's fearsome attacking line will present a start test to Alderweireld.
Portugal's fearsome attacking line will present a start test to Alderweireld.

Going into Euro 2020, Belgium's defence was seen as their weak link, but Toby Alderweireld has shown that it's not the case.

He has come into his own at the tournament, thanks to his excellent positional awareness and speed to close down attackers. The former Ajax star has timed his tackles to perfection.

Defensive Midfielder: Youri Tielemans (Belgium)

Tielemans has been an unsung hero for Belgium at Euro 2020.
Tielemans has been an unsung hero for Belgium at Euro 2020.

Youri Tielemans hasn't been the most eye-catching performer for Belgium at Euro 2020, but his importance to the side cannot be understated.

He's their key in building attacks from the deep, while the Leicester City star's expansive passing range has helped keep his team ticking.


Right Winger: Diogo Jota (Portugal)

Diogo Jota has impressed down the wings for Portugal.
Diogo Jota has impressed down the wings for Portugal.

He's yet to reproduce his ruthless Liverpool form at the Euros. but Diogo Jota has offered tremendous width from the flanks. Jota has stretched defences open with his marauding runs and has linked up brilliantly with Ronaldo.

He has got one goal and one assist in the campaign thus far, both coming against Germany. Jota will look to add to his tally against Belgium.


Attacking Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Kevin De Bruyne is Belgium's real MVP.
Kevin De Bruyne is Belgium's real MVP.

It didn't take him long to make an impact after returning from injury. Kevin De Bruyne single-handedly turned the game against Denmark with a goal and an assist. He then following that up with another assist in the win over Finland.

De Bruyne's creative brilliance is there for all to see. He can wreak havoc on the Portuguese defence if he's given a lot of time and space on the ball.


Attacking Midfielder: Renato Sanches (Portugal)

Is this truly the renaissance of Sanches?
Is this truly the renaissance of Sanches?

Renato Sanches, a revelation in Portugal's fairy-tale Euro 2016 campaign, is reviving himself in this competition. His career had hit a crossroads of sorts after that summer in France.

At Euro 2020, Sanches has injected some much-needed youthful energy into Portugal's midfield. With Bruno Fernandes struggling to make a mark, Sanches has stepped up to dictate the holders' attacking rhythm.


Left Winger: Thorgan Hazard (Belgium)

Thorgan Hazard will pose a huge test for Portugal from the right flank.
Thorgan Hazard will pose a huge test for Portugal from the right flank.

Thorgan Hazard has clearly upstaged his more glamorous brother at Euro 2020 thus far.

Strong on the ball and incredibly fast, the Borussia Dortmund star has been truly menacing for opposition defences. He even got on the scoresheet against Denmark. His set-piece prowess will be another concern for Portugal, who will need to guard the right flank well to keep him quiet.

Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo needs one more goal to surpass Ali Daei's all-time international scoring record.
Cristiano Ronaldo needs one more goal to surpass Ali Daei's all-time international scoring record.

In what's realistically his last Euro campaign with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has produced dazzling performances.

He's currently the frontrunner for the Golden Boot with five goals, having set an early pace in the competition, and will be hungry for more against Belgium.

There have been too many penalties missed at Euro 2020 - six of 14 - to be exact. But Ronaldo has been clutch from the spot, dispatching all three of his spot-kicks (one against Hungary and two against France). He has also been instrumental in building attacks for his team too.


Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

Romelu Lukaku has scored against Portugal once before.
Romelu Lukaku has scored against Portugal once before.

If there's one player who could steal Ronaldo's thunder in this match and possibly outscore him, it's Romelu Lukaku. He isn't far behind in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot, scoring three goals.

Lukaku, who has scored once against Portugal, is more than a goal machine, though. The Inter Milan star is an all-round striker who uses his physical strength and pace to outmuscle defenders. His hold-up play is second to none as well.

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