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Belgium ended Portugal's reign as European champions after winning their Euro 2020 round of 16 tie 1-0 in Seville. Thorgan Hazard scored the only goal of the game. The Red Devils will next face Italy in Munich on Friday.
The Borussia Dortmund star thumped a superb 30-yard strike in the first-half which gave Rui Patiricio no chance.
However, the Selecao upped the ante after the break, attempting 15 shots, yet couldn't find the elusive equalizer.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, in possibly his last European tournament with Portugal, was kept firmly under wraps by the Red Devils, who didn't allow him much space or time to work on.
They huffed and puffed, but couldn't save their title defense from crumbling, as Belgium marched on in the last-8. Here are the major talking points from Seville:
#1 Belgium's resolute defence frustrates Portugal
For all their fearsome attacking might, Belgium truly impressed defensively in the match, holding their guard firmly as the defending champions threw caution to the wind.
Portugal always looked to make a cross on the left with either of Guerreiro or Sanches linking up with a wide forward - Jota initially and then Felix - who'd then play a hopeful punt in the box.
However, the Red Devils were on hand to clear the dangers, while they defended stoically when Selecao looked to pass their way through the middle. Then, of course, there was Courtois, the unbeatable figure between the sticks with some key blocks and saves to deny Portugal in the final minutes.
#2 Diogo Jota missed big chances again
If there's something for which Diogo Jota will be remembered after this campaign, it's his misses. The Liverpool ace, who tore Premier League defenders last season, fluffed his lines badly in the competition, including two costly misses tonight which could've altered the course of the game had Jota buried them.
In the first half, he was set up beautifully by Sanches, but dragged his effort wide of the post from close range before firing another gilt-edged chance over the bar in the second-half with only Thibaut Courtois to beat. Very disappointing from the man whom you'd normally expect to convert.
#3 A quiet night for leading strikers
The entire pre-match build-up was dominated by how Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku would be the key players to watch out for. But turns out, neither truly had an impressive outing, although the former grew more active and dangerous as the game went on.
With Portugal desperately in need of goals, the skipper, who had struck five times in the campaign, dropped a little deeper after the final quarter to try and help regain possession and push his side forward. Although it didn't yield dividends, the crosses that were made to him also lacked accuracy, with the ball either too high or someone in red always getting a head to it before Ronaldo did, starving him of proper service.
As far as Lukaku is concerned, this was the quietest he's been in the Euros so far. The Inter Milan ace, who's struck three goals himself, attempted to conjure something from a few late counter-attacks, but to no avail.
However, he's got at least one more chance to bounce back and add to his tally, unlike his outgoing Juventus counterpart.
#4 The rise of a new Hazard
Thorgan Hazard has impressed in the Euros so far. With his more decorated brother Eden struggling to get into shape and form, he's stepped up to star for Belgium, scoring the match-winning goal which sent them into the next round.
The strike was pure quality too. The Borussia Dortmund star received a cross from Thomas Meunier on the left flank and Hazard let rip an unstoppable 30-yard howitzer that gave Rui Patricio no chance.
It was his second goal of the campaign and he could bag a few more at this rate going forward. But more importantly, he's taken over the mantle of a talisman from his Real Madrid sibling.
#5 Belgium's 'golden generation' march on
There's plenty riding on this Belgian side, who've been dubbed the 'golden generation' for the sheer amount of talent in the squad. They passed their first real test of Euro 2020 tonight, but how far can they really go?
Another heavyweight, Italy, await them in the quarter-finals and the Red Devils will have to produce more than just steely defense to advance. In addition, both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, two key senior players, went off with knocks and will be assessed ahead of the last-8 clash.
Credit must go to Roberto Martinez for picking the side up from the tatters of Euro 2016 disappointment and turning them into a well-oiled machine.
Other senior players like Romelu Lukaku, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Thibaut Courtois, etc., in addition to the aforesaid duo, have learned what it takes to succeed at the highest level after years of underperforming.
Belgium's best result in the Euros has been finishing as the runners-up in the 1980 edition. But the current crop of players have the potential to go one better.
