Belgium and Denmark Are Through.

[Source]

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Belgium continued their impressive start to the Euro 2020 with 100% points gotten from their first 3 games. They dispatched a resilient Finland despite knowing they are already through to the next round. Belgium only kept 2 players that played in the last game against Denmark with the two players being Romelu Lukaku and Courtois. Belgium are spoilt for choices and they had to bring in Hazard, De Bruyne, Witsel and Vermaelen to start the match.

De Bruyne produced a darting run so early in the game when he ghosts his way into the box but his effort was cleared off. Witsel also had a tame shot at goal which was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

Lukaku should have given Belgium the lead in the 37th minute when Kevin De Bruyne gave a lofted pass to Lukaku in the box but the header lacked power and direction as it went straight to the goalkeeper who saved it with ease.

Witsel and Eden Hazard combined well inside the box to set Hazard free but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 74th minute, Belgium got their deserved lead when a corner delivered into the box was powered by Vermaelen but his header came off the post then onto the arm of the goalkeeper who diverted it into his net. It went down as an own goal.

Lukaku sealed the win with a brilliant turn in the box as he blasted home his effort to make it 2-0 in the 81st minute.

In the other game, Denmark outpowered Russia to join Belgium in moving out of the group stage. It was an emotional first game for Denmark with Eriksen's slump and despite a near-perfect first half, Belgium got the better of Denmark. Denmark knew they had to produce a more spirited performance against Russia and they did.

Golovin came close for Russia in the 18th minute with a lovely strike but the goalkeeper saved it. It was a lovely darting run by Golovin but he was unlucky not to score. Hojbjerg on the other hand produced an audacious strike in the 29th minute that flashed just a bit wide. It was a lovely long-range strike.

The first goal of the game came in the 38th minute when Damsgaard produced a brilliant goal when he lifted, bent and allowed the ball to dip on its way into the back of the net. The second goal came in the 59th minute when a terrible back pass allowed Poulsen to pounce and tuck home the ball easily for Denmark.

Russia reduced the deficit in the 68th minute when Vestergaard tripped Sobolev inside the box and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Dzyuba stepped up and put the ball right at the middle to make it 2-1.

Denmark shut down any hope of a comeback for Russia when they went 3-1 up through a thunderous strike from Christensen after a loose ball found him just outside the box.

The rout was completed by Maehle with a swift Denmark counterattack. He expertly cuts in and smashed home on his favourite foot. With Finland losing to Belgium, Denmark took the second spot and qualified from the group alongside Belgium.

Another prediction that I got wrong. I predicted Belgium and Russia to qualify from this group but as it is, Belgium and Denmark qualified instead.

Here is how the table stands:

Belgium - 9 Points
Denmark - 3 Points with +1 Goal Difference
Finland - 3 Points with -2 Goal Difference
Russia - 3 Points with -5 Goal Difference.

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