Belgium can win the European Championship as they head into the quarter-finals against Italy after beating Portugal 1-0 on 27 June 2021. The team has been one of the favourites for months, even though coach Roberto Martinez has often been heard moderating expectations. Some concerns prior to the tournament centred around the ageing defence but the team effort has been strong. Potential injuries are a concern with Eden Hazard limping off late in the game against Portugal and Kevin de Bruyne was also forced off with an ankle problem.
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Lead up to UEFA EURO2020
In EURO 2016, Belgium beat Hungary 4-0 but lost to Wales in the quarter-final by 3-1. Since then the team has improved and matured and confident in the 3-4-2-1 formation, which has led to few goals being conceded and a strong attacking front. Belgium's attacking talent that pushed the team to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals is what has put them among the favourites for the UEFA EURO 2020 Championship. In the lead up to EURO 2020, Belgium won all its 10 qualifiers, scoring 40 goals in the process.
Group games
With strong players including Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard, Belgium has dominated in Group B against Denmark, Russia and Finland, conceding just one goal to Denmark which passed the hands of Thibaut Courtois. Belgium was expected to win Group B.
Martinez has used his favoured 3-4-2-1 in all group games and this is only expected to change if an injury requires it. Romelu Lukaku takes on the 1 role, with most wingers and wing-backs able to switch out of each role. Thomas Meunier and Thorgan Hazard have been the most frequent wing-backs following Timothy Castagne’s eye injury in the opening match. The strong defence is led by 35-year-old Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld, 32, and Jan Vertonghen, 34.
Belgium vs Portugal
In their win against Portugal, Martinez's side proved they have the grit as well as the talent to win the European Championship. The match was settled by Thorgan Hazard's first-half goal and the team can be confident for the rest of the tournament, meeting Italy next in the quarter-finals.
Why Belgium can win
Despite predictions, Belgium’s ageing defence is unlikely to stop the team from winning the tournament, having stopped the 23 shots at goal made by Fernando Santos' side. The commitment, talent and maturity of the back three have made their defending an art form, with superb assistance from Axel Witsel and Youri Tielemans in a double pivot in front of the defence and wingbacks Thomas Meunier and Hazard going forward without getting caught out. The constant high level of concentration, the ability to deal with difficult moments against a team pushing for victory until the final whistle means that Belgium really can win the championship.